San Francisco 49ers’ Kalia Davis won the starting defensive tackle job heading into his fourth season and notched career highs in tackles, tackles for loss, starts, and playing time. He recorded 28 tackles, four TFLs, two quarterback hits, a half sack, and three pass deflections across 17 regular-season games, including 17 starts, and accounted for 492 (45%) defensive snaps. Davis failed to register a statistic in both playoff appearances.
The San Francisco 49ers’ DT is a free agent
San Francisco 49ers, Kalia Davis
Oct 19, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Kalia Davis (93) after the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Because Kalia Davis was on the non-football injury list as a rookie and has been on the active roster for at least six regular-season games over the past three years, he is credited with three accrued seasons, making him a restricted free agent. The 49ers have four non-guaranteed tender options, including the right-of-first refusal worth $3.520 million, an original (fifth-round) tender worth $3.702 million, a second-round tender worth $5.767 million, and a first-round tender worth $8.046 million. If the front office places an original round, second-, or first-round tender on Davis, they will receive a corresponding draft pick if they decline to match an offer sheet.
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The team can either bypass the tender and sign him to a contract or let him walk.
The 49ers make a $3 million call on a defensive starter
Sep 7, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch watches pregame warmups against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch watches pregame warmups against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
According to Jordan Schultz, the 49ers are not planning to place a restricted free agent tender on Kalia Davis, making him an unrestricted free agent. San Francisco will look to bolster the interior defensive line either through free agency or the upcoming draft. Davis might rejoin the team on a contract worth less than the tender in exchange for some guaranteed money, potentially competing for a spot on the 53-man roster.
Sources: The #49ers are not planning to tender DT Kalia Davis as an RFA.
He will now become a free agent. Davis started all 17 games last year for San Francisco in Robert Saleh’s defense. pic.twitter.com/yAp82lGUcw
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 2, 2026