Kyle Shanahan
Getty
Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers.
The San Francisco 49ers have been quiet through the early days of free agency. While other teams moved quickly during the legal tampering window, San Francisco kept things measured. That changed Tuesday night with a low-profile signing that adds depth to a position group that needed it.
The 49ers have agreed to a one-year deal with offensive lineman Brett Toth, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Brett Toth Joins the 49ers
Brett Toth
GettyFormer Eagles offensive lineman Brett Toth has signed with the 49ers.
Toth, 29, arrived in the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Army in 2019. He spent the bulk of his career in Philadelphia across three separate stints, with brief stops at the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers along the way. He stands 6’6″ and 304 pounds, with the ability to play left guard, center, and offensive tackle.
Last season brought him his most significant NFL action. Toth made four starts for the Eagles, lining up at both left guard and center against quality opponents including the Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers. He handled those assignments largely well, posting a 2.4 blown block rate across 337 snaps. His one difficult outing came against a Brian Flores defense, where he was responsible for four blown blocks. Every other appearance showed one or fewer.
In 37 career games and six starts, Toth has shown he can step in when needed without the offense falling apart around him. Now he gets his shot with the 49ers.
Dave Zangaro
Former Eagles OL Brett Toth has agreed to terms with the 49ers on a 1-year deal, per a league source.
What This Means for the 49ers
John Lynch San Francisco 49ers
GettySan Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch.
The signing almost certainly signals that Spencer Burford will not be returning. San Francisco now has Toth competing with Connor Colby and Nick Zakelj for the swing interior lineman role. Should injuries strike at left guard or center during the season, Toth gives Kyle Shanahan a proven option who has done exactly that job in a playoff-caliber offense.
It is not a headline move. It was never meant to be. The 49ers are building depth quietly, filling gaps left by departing veterans without overpaying in a free agent market that rewards patience.
Final Word for San Francisco
The 49ers still have bigger decisions ahead. The offensive line remains a work in progress. Toth does not solve everything, but he adds a reliable, versatile piece to a room that needed one.
Depth signing. Smart signing.
Those are often the same thing.