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3 Players the 49ers Are Guaranteed to Lose in Free Agency

By Scott Rogust

These three 49ers players will not be returning to San Francisco next season.
These three 49ers players will not be returning to San Francisco next season. / Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The San Francisco 49ers were one quarter away from winning their seventh Super Bowl, but they just couldn't stop Patrick Mahomes' magic. As is the case with any team that just lost out on the opportunity to bring home the Lombardi Trophy, the 49ers are looking to find a way to make a return trip next season.

That will be a difficult task for the Niners considering they have just $13 million in cap space and have to address contract situations with George Kittle, Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner. It's going to take a lot of wheeling and dealing for general manager John Lynch to accomplish this and he'll have to watch some of the team's free agents walk this offseason.

These three players in particular won't return to the 49ers in 2020.

3. WR Jordan Matthews

Jordan Matthews failed to log a single reception with the 49ers
Jordan Matthews failed to log a single reception with the 49ers / Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Jordan Matthews used to be a reliable wideout for the Philadelphia Eagles, but his skills diminished as of late. The 49ers brought him in on two separate stints in 2019, and he proved to be a non-factor in the offense. In fact, he failed to log a single reception throughout their NFC Championship-winning season. With Deebo Samuel emerging as a star and Emmanuel Sanders reportedly expected to return, the 49ers' front office probably won't be bringing Matthews back for the 2020 season.

2. CB Jason Verrett

The 49ers need to upgrade their cornerback depth chart, which could spell the end for Jason Verrett.
The 49ers need to upgrade their cornerback depth chart, which could spell the end for Jason Verrett. / Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

This won't have a significant impact on the team. Cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Emmanuel Moseley performed admirably last season while Jason Verrett, an impending free agent, was limited to just one game before being placed on injured reserve with an ankle issue. The 49ers would be wise to add a veteran via free agency, such as an Aqib Talib. Not to mention, Moseley is a free agent as well. There's no way they'll prioritize Verrett in this scenario.

1. FS Jimmie Ward

Jimmie Ward will be too expensive for the 49ers to bring back in 2020.
Jimmie Ward will be too expensive for the 49ers to bring back in 2020. / Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

The 49ers have had Jimmie Ward on their roster since 2014, when they selected him in the first round of the NFL Draft out of Northern Illinois. Last offseason, the team signed him to a one-year prove-it deal, and did he ever do that. In 13 games, Ward recorded 65 tackles, eight passes defensed, and one sack. He also logged 11 tackles in Super Bowl LIV. Given his strong performance in 2019, the 29-year-old safety will receive lucrative offers on the open market, something the 49ers will be unable to match. Expect Ward to sign with the team that offers him the most money.