49ers solidify move to a new future by releasing Dee Ford

The 49ers finally released defensive end Dee Ford from their roster, a long-awaited move that still signifies an important step for the team overall.

In his season-opening press conference, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said in no uncertain terms that EDGE Dee Ford would no longer be on the roster.

Now, just a day afterward, it has finally come to fruition with his release.

Heading into the 2019 offseason, the Niners traded a second-round pick with the Kansas City Chiefs to acquire him and quickly gave him a five-year, $85 million deal. It was a risk at the time, due to Ford’s injury concerns, but the hope was he could be the other catalyst along with EDGE Nick Bosa to revitalize a stagnant pass-rush.

For at least one year, all the hopes came to fruition. Ford and Bosa combined with former 49er DeForest Buckner and current 49er Arik Armstead to create a truly monstrous defensive line, one that nearly carried San Francisco all the way to a Super Bowl victory.

But even that year, Ford’s injuries began to catch up to him he was only able to play in 18 games during his 49ers tenure.

His release resolves the pending nature of his contract, with the Niners carrying a $5.8 million cap hit the next two years before that goes down to $920,000 (h/t Niners Wire).

Although Ford’s release comes as a formality on what was, retrospectively, a disappointing tenure, it’s a significant move for San Francisco to have made.

What Dee Ford meant to the 49ers

It cannot be overstated how important 2019 was for the 49ers. Beyond the obvious sustained success that was 10 minutes away from the ultimate prize, it was proof that the brass could build a team capable of winning it all. It stabilized what had been a team floundering due to injury and inability.

Though he was never able to consistently stay on the field, without Ford, 2019 does not happen, and who knows where the Niners would be now. And while it’s easy to look back on his time as a disappointment, there is a tremendous value in what he brought to the team, and it should be appreciated.

Why Dee Ford’s release signifies a new era for the 49ers

It is in this shadow of 2019 that San Francisco, under John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan, has largely operated. Rightfully so, too, as a team that successful, so close to winning it all, would cast a long shadow on what next steps to take.

But it had become clear in many ways the 49ers needed to move on from what they did in 2019.

It’s an important foundation to look towards, but progress had to be made, and the Niners made it on many fronts. Cornerback Richard Sherman departed in free agency in 2021, giving a new look in the secondary. Buckner’s 2020 offseason trade was a perfect example of the cold rationale necessary to keep innovating. And when quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo finally is off the roster, there will be no clearer sign that things have changed.

But San Francisco’s continued attempts to bring Ford back, to salvage what it could while practical because of his contract, was in many ways emblematic of this reach back to 2019. Each attempt felt like a futile effort to recreate something that was already gone.

By releasing Ford, the 49ers have given up on the attempt to revive what cannot be revived. They drafted USC EDGE Drake Jackson in the second round this year to provide a pass-rush presence with elite bend and incredible skills, they think, to finally replace Ford in time. No more attempts to bring back what was, only a move forward with what is.

The theme of the 2022 season for the Niners, beyond the obvious chase to win a Lombardi Trophy, is that of transition.

Releasing Ford, no matter how predictable, is yet another reminder they are moving forward on their quest for their sixth Lombardi Trophy.