The 49ers signed Gross-Matos to a two-year, $18 million contract Thursday. Gross-Matos was the 38th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Panthers but never developed into a top-end pass rusher off the edge in Carolina. He registered just 13 sacks across four seasons, including a career-best 4.5 in 2023. Perhaps new Niners DC Nick Sorensen can get more out of the 26-year-old.
The 49ers are signing Givens to a one-year contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Givens is now in line to play his sixth straight season in San Francisco after playing all 17 regular-season games in 2023. He will likely again play a rotational role on the interior of the defensive line in 2024.
Juszczyk and the 49ers have agreed to a restructured contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Juszczyk's reworked deal will free up about $1.75 million in cap space for the 49ers, who are looking to retool in the offseason after losing in the Super Bowl. The versatile fullback signed a five-year, $27 million contract with San Francisco back in March of 2021.
Collins is slated to be traded from the Texans to the 49ers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Javon Hargrave dealt with a torn ligament in his thumb down the stretch, and the 49ers are expected to release Arik Armstead (knee); therefore, the addition of Collins solves San Francisco's need for a defensive tackle. Collins started 16 games for the Texans in 2023 and set a new career high in tackles (41) while tying his previous best mark with 5.0 sacks.
Kendricks is set to sign a one-year contract with the 49ers, ESPN.com reports. Kendricks has racked up over 100 tackles in each of the past eight seasons. The 32-year-old linebacker, who played for the Chargers in 2023, is expected to help replace Dre Greenlaw (Achilles), who is slated to miss most or all of the 2024 campaign after getting injured in the Super Bowl.
The 49ers are slated to sign Elliott to a two-year, $10 million contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. A third-round pick in 2020 by the Browns, Elliott spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons as a starter for Cleveland. Across 17 games (14 starts) last year, Elliott recorded 21 tackles (14 solo) and 2.5 sacks on the team's talented defensive line. In San Francisco, Elliott will help to replace the snaps lost by Arik Armstead, who is expected to be released this week.
Odum is set to sign a two-year contract extension, which could be worth up to $10 million, with the 49ers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Odum had one year left on his three-year contract signed in 2022, but he'll now be slated to stay in San Fransisco for at least the next three seasons. The 30-year-old has been a standout on special teams, earning All-Pro honors in 2020, and should continue in that role in 2024.
Darnold agreed to terms on a one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Darnold spent the 2023 campaign as Brock Purdy's backup in San Francisco, but he will now join his former teammate, and current Vikings quarterback coach, Josh McCown in Minnesota. With Kirk Cousins en route to Atlanta, the 26-year-old becomes the de facto No. 1 option under center. He completed 16-of-26 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown, while adding another 19 yards and trip to the end zone on seven carries in his only start for the 49ers last season. It remains to be seen if Minnesota will draft or bring in competition for Darnold, as the journeyman signal caller could be viewed either as a bridge to a younger quarterback or potential option for the future.