The 49ers released Taybor Pepper, but their new free-agent long-snapper, Jon Weeks, didn't come at a cheaper cost.
The Thursday after the start of the league new year, the San Francisco 49ers parted ways with veteran long-snapper Taybor Pepper.
Pepper was entering the final year of his contract and had no more guaranteed money left on the deal, which suggested the Niners were potentially looking to get both younger and cheaper at arguably the most overlooked position in football.
Although it'd be difficult for San Francisco to save a considerable amount of money at this spot.
Later that evening, Aaron Wilson of Houston's KPRC reported the 49ers came to an agreement with a new long-snapper, Jon Weeks, on a one-year deal worth $1.422 million with $200,000 guaranteed:
It's a one-year deal for new #49ers long snapper Jon Weeks, a $1.422 million deal with $200,000 guaranteed, per a league source, as he leaves #Texans in free agency. https://t.co/VaI1QsTRGU
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 13, 2025
That's $100,000 more than what Pepper was scheduled to earn. And, as far as age is concerned, Weeks isn't exactly younger at 39 years old.
Not exactly aligning with the Niners' "younger and cheaper" modus operandi.
So, why?
Why did 49ers ink Jon Weeks to replace Taybor Pepper?
Granted, arguments over long-snappers can be silly unless they're struggling to accurately deliver snaps on field-goal tries and punts.
About the only thing that stands out in favor of Weeks is he's a one-time Pro Bowler and spent his entire career with the Houston Texans from 2010 through last season.
Other than that, San Francisco got more expensive and older with the transaction.
This suggests there were other reasons why the 49ers dismissed Pepper, who subsequently admitted on Twitter/X he wanted to stay in the Bay Area for the rest of his career. From that vantage point, he didn't want to move on.
It could be the influence from new special teams coordinator Brant Boyer, who might be aiming to overhaul the third phase as much as possible this offseason to correct what was one of the NFL's worst special teams groups last season.
That's possibly the only logical explanation.
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