These 49ers players have played their final game with San Francisco

Jimmie Ward has played his final game with 49ers

The Niners have little reason to re-sign Jimmy Garoppolo, Ross Dwelley or Robbie Gould, but they could make the argument to re-sign veteran safety Jimmie Ward, their longest-tenured player.

However, after landing on the NFL Top 100 list for the first time in his career, Ward’s trajectory in 2022 took a notably different turn after suffering an early injury and subsequently losing his starting safety job to a late free-agent pickup, Tashaun Gipson.

San Francisco wisely kept Ward’s impact around by putting him at nickel cornerback, but that probably wasn’t the defensive back’s preferred choice.

Turning 32 years old this offseason, Ward is likely looking at what’ll be the final big-number contract of his career. Sure, Gipson isn’t signed beyond this season, but it would make sense for the 49ers to opt for someone both younger and potentially cheaper at the position.

As such, the Niners will have to bid farewell to one of their most versatile and impactful players for the last nine seasons.