Marqise Lee era with 49ers comes to quick, unceremonious end

Mere days after signing veteran wide receiver Marqise Lee, the 49ers waived him and elected to go with Bennie Fowler instead.

Welp, toss our not-so-recent predictions for the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver depth chart in Week 1 right out the window.

Veteran wide receiver Marqise Lee‘s time with the Niners lasted a mere four days. On March 17, San Francisco signed the 29 year old to a one-year deal to help bolster a wide receiver room looking for potential fits down the depth chart.

Despite his age and relatively recent history of knee injuries, Lee figured to be a quality possession receiver and someone who could fill the void as the No. 3 option at the position after the 49ers lost wide receiver Kendrick Bourne to the New England Patriots earlier this offseason.

Four days after signing his deal, Lee was waived by the Niners — news breaking on the team’s home page.

In a corresponding move, San Francisco inked former New York Giants and New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bennie Fowler, who’ll turn 30 years old this season and is coming off five games played with the Saints in 2020 where he had two catches for 11 yards.

In 2017 with the Denver Broncos, Fowler had a career-high 29 receptions for 350 yards and three touchdowns.

Lee’s best season, meanwhile, was back in 2016 with the Jacksonville Jaguars where he had 63 receptions for 851 yards and three touchdowns.

Exactly why Lee was waived merely days after signing a deal and being a potential favorite to earn a spot on the 53-man roster? It’s anyone’s guess. Fowler has primarily been a special teams ace and has started just 12 games over his seven-year career. Just by comparing the numbers, it’s almost impossible to suggest he’s an upgrade over Lee.

Perhaps Lee requested to be let go, possibly upon hearing what his intended role with the 49ers was going to be. Or maybe Lee had some sort of major gaffe during the Niners’ initial practices before OTAs kick off.

Right now, it’s anyone’s guess.

Yet the fact San Francisco lacks quality depth at wide receiver behind its two starters, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, remains the same. While Lee could have filled the void, he won’t have that shot now.

And it’s likely Fowler won’t be a favorite to secure that kind of role either.