The San Francisco 49ers are re-signing linebacker Garret Wallow to a one-year deal, per NFL Insider Jordan Schultz. The 49ers claimed Wallow off waivers in December. Wallow earning another contract speaks to how much he impressed in a couple of months with the Niners.
The deal is likely for the veteran’s minimum. Wallow ended up playing 150 defensive snaps for the 49ers, with the majority of those coming in Week 18 and the Wild Card playoff round. Once Dee Winters returned to action, Wallow was relegated to special teams. To his credit, Wallow played on every special teams unit imaginable.
Here’s a look at the 49ers’ linebacking core:
Fred Warner
Dee Winters
Tatum Bethune
Garret Wallow
Nick Martin
Wallow just turned 27. Luke Gifford turns 31 at the end of August. The 49ers might be looking to get younger and more athletic on special teams with this move, which is never a bad idea. Gifford remains an unrestricted free agent.
Eric Kendricks and Curtis Robinson are also free agents, while Jalen Graham was one of the futures contracts.
If the 49ers sit tight and don’t add any other players at the position, it’s a sign that they intend to use Nick Martin in some capacity next season.