Some special teams help
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The San Francisco 49ers are not done in free agency. Late Saturday night, Aaron Wilson reported that linebacker Ezekiel Turner has signed a one-year deal with the team. The news came from his agents.
Turner has played his entire career with the Arizona Cardinals, beginning as an undrafted free agent and signing a handful of one-year extensions with them. If you remember that far back, Turner was the guy in the 49ers 2020 season opener against the Cardinals who blocked Mitch Wishnowsky’s punt, a play that was seen as the turning point of the game.
For his career across 80 games played, Turner has 83 career tackles (38 solo), and 1 forced fumble. He had one season where he had to miss time due to injury; 2021 where he only dressed four games.
On the surface, Turner looks like a camp body. There seems to be a bit more here and that’s special teams help. The 49ers special teams has improved a bit but they still have been a bit underwhelming at times. Any help is appreciated and looking at it from that lens means this could be a nice shot in the arm.
Why the 49ers Haven’t Signed any Offensive Free Agents
Defense, defense, and more defense. That has been the theme from the San Francisco 49ers in free agency.
Defense, defense, and more defense.
That has been the theme from the San Francisco 49ers in free agency. Every player they have signed has been on the defensive side of the ball. Not a single new offensive player has been signed, which is odd considering the offensive line issues.
However, there is a reason the 49ers haven’t signed any offensive free agents yet. It’s because they don’t need it. Outside of the offensive line, where is it that the 49ers need to add players to? There isn’t a position on their offense that a free agent addition is required. And it’s not like any offensive woes are due to a lack of talent.
The 49ers don’t need to go looking for anyone when they have five All-Pro players on offense. Quarterback, running back, tight end, and wide receiver are all perfectly fine. Maybe a tight end who is receiver oriented would be nice, but again offensive free agent signings are unnecessary from the 49ers.
Sure, the offensive line could use a spruce up, but free agency has offensive linemen being paid at an absurd rate. That is the cost of doing business at this time. Players are going for more than their actual value, so it makes no sense for the 49ers to overspend on talent that doesn’t match the salary.
Just look at Mike McGlinchey last year. The Denver Broncos signed him to a $55 million guaranteed contract, and he isn’t close to worth that amount. Since the offensive line is off the table, the 49ers have no reason to go after offensive free agent signings in the first week. Now, I am sure there will be one or two in the coming weeks to fill the spots of departed players.
Their approach to free agency has been adequate thus far.