Clelin Ferrell bet on himself to thrive on the San Francisco 49ers' defensive line in 2023.

Though his sole season with San Francisco was ended by a Week 18 ACL injury that prevented him from featuring in their Super Bowl run, Ferrell enjoyed a strong campaign with the Niners. While he only managed 3.5 sacks, Ferrell posted career highs in quarterback hits (13) and pressures (30, per Pro Football Focus) and impressed his teammates with his effort against the run.

That was enough to convince the man who was the 49ers' assistant general manager when San Francisco signed him, Adam Peters, to make him part of the Washington Commanders roster. The Athletic's Dianna Russini first reported the Commanders will sign Ferrell, in what is expected to be a one-year deal.

Peters was hired as Commanders GM before the 49ers played the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58.

The former fourth overall pick of the Las Vegas Raiders, Ferrell will also have a familiar defensive line coach. Daryl Tapp is the new D-Line coach in Washington, having previously served as the Niners' assistant D-Line coach behind Kris Kocurek.

With another free agent acquisition Dorance Armstrong also joining a Commanders D-Line featuring two interior stars in Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen, Ferrell should be set up for another impressive year in Washington.

For the Niners, Ferrell joins another former first-round defensive lineman, Javon Kinlaw, in bidding farewell. Kinlaw agreed to a one-year deal with the New York Jets. The 49ers plan to release Arik Armstead, their 2015 first-round pick and longest-tenured player, after he refused a pay cut. San Francisco has, however, agreed to deals with two new pass rushers in veteran Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos.

49ers’ former first-round pick departs after producing his best season at exactly the wrong time

It put them in a tough spot.