Former 49ers safety unlikely to spend a second spell with the team after coming out of retirement
The San Francisco 49ers could probably still benefit from an extra infusion of depth at the safety position. Ji'Ayir Brown and Talanoa Hufanga are set to be the 49ers' starting safeties in 2024, but behind them their options are somewhat limited. San Francisco thinks highly of fourth-round rookie Malik Mustapha, but the only experienced backups […]
The San Francisco 49ers could probably still benefit from an extra infusion of depth at the safety position.
Ji'Ayir Brown and Talanoa Hufanga are set to be the 49ers' starting safeties in 2024, but behind them their options are somewhat limited. San Francisco thinks highly of fourth-round rookie Malik Mustapha, but the only experienced backups are special teamer George Odum and Erik Harris, whom the 49ers signed to the practice squad last season after injuries to Hufanga and Odum.
Beyond that, the 49ers also have Tayler Hawkins and undrafted free agent rookie Jaylen Mahoney.
The 49ers saw a potential insurance option come available on Tuesday, one with whom they are already familiar.
Veteran safety Tony Jefferson revealed that he intends to come out of retirement, having called it a career in May of last year.
Jefferson last played for the New York Giants in 2022, but the former member of the Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens had a brief spell with the 49ers in 2021. He appeared in only two games before being released in December.
His limited experience playing in the San Francisco defense might lead the 49ers to show some interest in bringing Jefferson back. However, given he is 32 and spent last season out of football, it's unlikely they will view him as a better potential signing than the host of free agent safeties still on the market, which includes Jamal Adams, Justin Simmons, Quandre Diggs and Eddie Jackson.
Among those safeties still unsigned is also Tashaun Gipson, who has started at free safety for the 49ers for the last two seasons. There's as yet been no clear sign as to whether he intends to continue his career in 2024 having considered retirement after the 2022 season, but Gipson would obviously make much more sense than Jefferson as an insurance signing who could step in and start at short notice if needed.
What is clear is that the 49ers have plenty of avenues to explore if they wish to add to their depth at safety. On the list of possible signings at an area where their depth is shaky, a returning Jefferson is likely to be near the bottom.
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It’s contributed to their recent success.
