SF 49ers free agency: Jason Verrett must be re-signed at all cost

The SF 49ers must make re-signing Jason Verrett a top priority.

The SF 49ers are entering what is sure to be a chaotic offseason. While the quarterback position is going through the most speculation as to potential offseason moves, the Niners’ cornerback room is about to go through some serious changes.

Currently, of the cornerbacks on the team last season, Richard Sherman, K’Waun Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon, Jamar Taylor, Dontae Johnson, Emmanuel Moseley, and 2020 comeback star Jason Verrett are all scheduled to be free agents this offseason. Basically, every cornerback who played meaningful snaps for the Niners is due to be a free agent. Because of the SF 49ers’ incredibly limited cap space, the cornerback room is on track to look very different in 2021.

Sherman, the leader of the cornerback room, has essentially admitted he does not think it likely he remains in the red and gold. Although Sherman has been fantastic for San Francisco, due to his age, the Niners should not make re-signing him a top priority, as his play is likely to decline soon (Although, as Super Bowl-bound Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ quarterback Tom Brady has proven, it is possible I may eat my words there).

Instead, the SF 49ers must prioritize re-signing Verrett and establish him as the new leader of the defensive backfield.

Verrett has had a tumultuous NFL career. Beginning his career with the San Diego Chargers, he established himself as an elite player early on, making the Pro Bowl his sophomore season. However, he then suffered a knee injury, which combined with a later Achilles injury that made him irrelevant for multiple seasons. He joined the Niners in 2019, but then suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for the team’s Super Bowl runner-up campaign.

It appeared the Niners had made a mistake in signing Verrett, although they did extend him for the 2020 season as well. But by all accounts, it appeared Verrett’s career was over. Injuries had destroyed what had once appeared to be a promising career.

Then, 2020 happened.

Verrett stumbled out the gate with another injury. But then, he took the 2020 season by storm. All of a sudden, he was back to his pro bowl form. Verrett quickly became the one truly elite player in the 49ers’ cornerback room. And people noticed. Verrett finished the 2020 season as Pro Football Focus’ biggest surprise at the cornerback position.

Verrett proved he still has what it takes to be an elite NFL corner. The SF 49ers will need an elite corner to anchor a position surrounded by uncertainty. Because of that, they must re-sign Verrett at all costs. It will likely not be cheap, although hopefully, Verrett’s injury history keeps the price to sign him down.

So far this offseason, Verrett has been coy about whether he sees himself staying in San Francisco, refusing to give any definite answer when asked by fellow Niners’ defensive back Jimmie Ward on an Instagram Live.

Hopefully, Verrett feels some attachment to the team that took a chance on him and saved his career. Either way, the Niners must make re-signing Verrett their top priority this offseason. With so much turnover about to occur at cornerback, the Niners will need Verrett to shut down opposing receivers during a hopefully successful 2021 campaign.