3 former 49ers players who failed with their new team in 2022

The 49ers lost a number of players in various ways to start 2022. And while some had success in their new venues, these three certainly came up short.

Perhaps it’s a good idea for a San Francisco 49ers player to stay put with his team, especially if he has a choice to either stick around or seek a better deal elsewhere.

In all seriousness, players can do what they want when they’re free agents. And if another team is willing to outbid a soon-to-be former Niners player in NFL free agency, so be it. Additionally, if San Francisco bids farewell to a player by the way of a roster cut or trade, well, that’s that.

Some former 49ers players have had success in new ventures. Case in point, veteran running back Raheem Mostert had a career-best 1,093 yards from scrimmage in his first year with the Miami Dolphins in 2022 after missing almost all of 2021 with the Niners.

Mostert might be an exception, though. Not necessarily the rule.

A number of former San Francisco players who departed the team in 2022 ultimately flopped with their new employers, including these three.

Former 49ers RB Trey Sermon — Eagles

2022 stats: 2 rushes, 19 yards

The 49ers’ Round 3 selection of running back Trey Sermon in the 2021 NFL Draft turned into a flop, and Sermon was waived a year after he managed a mere 167 rush yards for the Niners his rookie season.

Grabbed by the Philadelphia Eagles, it’d be fair to think Sermon would benefit from a fresh start somewhere else.

However, with runners like Miles Sanders and Boston Scott in tow, Philly needed Sermon for a mere two carries for 19 yards.

That’s it.

Former 49ers S Jaquiski Tartt — Eagles

2022 stats: Waived by Philadelphia prior to regular season

San Francisco ultimately elected to go with second-year safety Talanoa Hufanga over the established veteran, Jaquiski Tartt, entering 2022.

Based on the stats and accolades, it was the right move. Hufanga became a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro, while Tartt had to wait for the majority of the offseason before signing with the Eagles.

That tenure in Philly didn’t last, though, as one of the 49ers’ longest-tenured players in recent history was let go that August prior to the regular season beginning.

He remains a free agent.

Former 49ers OL Laken Tomlinson — Jets

2022 stats: 1 sack, 32 pressures allowed

The Niners had no ability to get into a bidding war over Pro Bowl left guard Laken Tomlinson, who left San Francisco for a massive three-year, $40 million free-agent deal with the New York Jets.

Needless to say, Tomlinson’s Pro Bowl-like efforts didn’t carry over with Gang Green.

Pro Football Focus awarded Tomlinson an excellent 75.9 overall grade with the 49ers in 2021. But that number dropped significantly the following year and all the way down to 56.8.

Meanwhile, the 49ers went with second-year pro Aaron Banks, while New York is probably wondering why it overspent on Tomlinson in free agency.