49ers free agency tracker 2024: Signings, departures and live updates

Niner Noise keeps you up to date on all the latest 49ers' moves in the opening waves of NFL free agency in 2024.

The San Francisco 49ers have already been forced into tough decision as they approached the eve of the NFL new year, which officially hits on March 13.

In what'll be a cap-saving move, the Niners opted to release veteran defensive tackle and team captain, Arik Armstead, who was the longest-tenured player dating back to being selected in Round 1 of the 2015 NFL Draft.

San Francisco approached Armstead about taking a pay cut, which he declined. And a post-June 1 release will generate more than $18 million in cap space, according to Jason Fitzgerald at Over the Cap:

With some other pressing needs at edge, the 49ers will need to find some serious reinforcement to pair with fellow defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and All-Pro pass-rusher Nick Bosa. Especially with other D-linemen poised to hit free agency.

Here is the full list of Niners players who were scheduled for free agency.

The NFL "legal tampering" period begins on Monday, March 11, and Niner Noise keeps you posted on San Francisco's transactions with a breakdown of what each player's addition or subtraction means for the greater roster.

Be sure to refresh this page periodically for updates and further analysis.

49ers 2024 NFL free agency tracker and updates

Re-signed 49ers players

According to The Athletic's Matt Barrows, the 49ers are re-signing depth offensive lineman Ben Bartch:

A few days later, the Niners also brought back versatile lineman Jon Feliciano on a one-year deal, while linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles will be retained largely because of his special teams abilities, which San Francisco has appreciated in recent years.

Barrows also reported that special teams ace and backup safety George Odum is back on a two-year deal worth up to $10.8 million, while the hero from last season's NFC Championship game, wide receiver Chris Conley, is also returning.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Brock Purdy's third-string backup from last season, quarterback Brandon Allen, is back on a one-year deal:

Wide receiver Jauan Jennings, a restricted free agent, has received his second-round tender from the team, reported by the team's website.

Jennings could feasibly sign elsewhere, but San Francisco could either match the deal or accept a second-round NFL Draft pick in return, which isn't likely to happen.

On the defensive side of the ball, nose tackle Kevin Givens is back on a one-year deal, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Free-agent signings

Rapoport also broke news that the 49ers were inking veteran pass-rusher Leonard Floyd to a two-year deal worth up to $24 million.

Floyd, who has had at least nine sacks per year in each of the last four seasons, indicated the Niners will bid farewell to edge Chase Young in their attempt to find a top-notch pass-rusher opposite Bosa.

There's more, though, as fellow pass-rusher Yetur Gross-Matos is also onboarding with San Francisco on a two-year, $18 million deal, according to Rapoport:

To help with the interior, former Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Jordan Elliott is also joining the 49ers on a two-year deal, as reported by Rapoport:

Cleveland's defense isn't unlike that of the Niners, so this transaction makes sense from a scheme perspective.

To assist with the secondary, San Francisco grabbed former New Orleans Saints cornerback Isaac Yiadom, as shared by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler:

San Francisco also is adding cornerback Chase Lucas, formerly of the Detroit Lions, to a one-year deal, according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson:

Veteran cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, a 2019 second-round pick of the Colts, is also joining the Niners on a one-year deal, which was announced on April 11.

Linebacker, too, is a position with question marks. Especially after Dre Greenlaw's Achilles tear in the Super Bowl last season, which endangers his likelihood of being available for the start of 2024.

Former Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks reportedly agreed to a deal with San Francisco but ultimately chose the Dallas Cowboys instead at the last minute, leaving this need for the 49ers still very much open.

The Niners hope to have addressed this by inking former Green Bay Packers linebacker De'Vondre Campbell to a one-year deal, as reported by Rapoport:

Ezekiel Turner is another linebacker who's joining San Francisco on a one-year deal. Turner is known primarily as a special teams contributor.

Offensive lineman Brandon Parker is also a new face to the fray.

To help round out the quarterback room behind Purdy (and likely in front of Allen), the 49ers inked journeyman quarterback Josh Dobbs to a one-year deal, according to his agent:

The Niners could opt to carry four quarterbacks in training camp and the preseason, which allows for room in free agency, via trade or by the draft, but it's likely the QB room is now set for the rest of the offseason.

Former Packers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. is also joining on a one-year deal, reported by Schefter.

Additionally, San Francisco is staging a reunion with its fifth-round pick from the 2017 NFL Draft, wide receiver Trent Taylor, who'll assist in the punt-return game:

Free-agent departures

Purdy's other backup, Sam Darnold, isn't going to hang around in the Bay Area. In the wake of Atlanta Falcons inking veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency, the Vikings' response is to land Darnold, who served as the No. 2 guy on the Niners' depth chart last season.

News broke late on day one of the tampering period, per Rapoport:

The Niners' chief return specialist, wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud, is also departing to join the Atlanta Falcons on a two-year deal, as reported by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, which means San Francisco will have to address its return game by some means.

Backup tight end Charlie Woerner, who spent his first four years with the 49ers and played in 65 games with 11 receptions for 120 yards, is joining the Atlanta Falcons on a three-year deal, as shared by ESPN's Michael Rothstein:

Ross Dwelley will join Woerner in Atlanta, too.

Likewise, the Chicago Bears announced they inked backup offensive lineman Matt Pryor to a one-year deal.

Meanwhile, adding to the sting of Armstead's eventual release, the Niners will bid farewell to his primary backup, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, who is signing with the New York Jets on a one-year deal, according to Schefter:

Kinlaw, San Francisco's first-round draft choice from 2020, enjoyed his best season as a pro in 2023 but was otherwise hampered by knee injuries the previous two seasons.

Additionally, edge Clelin Ferrell is jumping ship to the Washington Commanders, per The Athletic's Dianna Russini:

Edge Chase Young, too, didn't see his hopes of returning to the Bay Area either after an underwhelming post-trade deadline tenure, and he subsequently inked with the Saints, per the league:

In the second wave of free agency, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed away backup pass-rusher Randy Gregory, whose loss won't count in the Niners' compensatory pick formula.

Those players' losses left the 49ers' defensive line awfully thin.

Turner's additions helps mitigate the free-agent loss of linebacker Oren Burks, a special teams ace and spot starter who is now off to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Other transactions

Armstead has yet to be officially released, and it'll likely be a post-June 1 designation.

To help with the D-line interior, the Niners executed a trade with the Houston Texans for nose tackle Maliek Collins, who'll join San Francisco in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick.

Barrows additionally reported the Niners restructured linebacker Fred Warner's contract to free up cap space, too:

In another cap-saving move attempt, San Francisco has reportedly asked fullback Kyle Juszczyk about taking a pay cut, and he ultimately did so, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter:

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