49ers sign WR Jeremy Kerley to a 3-year, $10.5 million deal

The San Francisco 49ers and WR Jeremy Kerley have agreed to a 3-year, $10.5 million deal, per ESPN. Kerley had been scheduled to become a free agent.

"We are very excited to be able to keep a player and teammate like Jeremy in red and gold," said 49ers general manager John Lynch via a statement issued by the team. "As we evaluated the roster, his production on the field really impressed us and we believe he is a great fit for our scheme. As we learned more and more about him, it became obvious his teammates have a great deal of respect for Jeremy as well. He is a true pro who is an asset to this team on offense, special teams and in the locker room."

In 2016, Kerley was acquired by the 49ers via a trade with the Detroit Lions in late August, just prior to the team's final preseason game. The 49ers sent guard Brandon Thomas to Detroit and received Kerley in return. Last season, Kerley ended up leading the 49ers in receiving with 64 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns.

In February, Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network sat down with Kerley prior to the Super Bowl and asked if he wanted to return to the 49ers. "Definitely," Kerley answered. "I feel comfortable there. I feel like I'm at home. I definitely want to go back. Hopefully, everything works out."

"I see a lot of upside to being over there," Kerley answered when asked why he wanted to return. "It's a great place. They've got a lot of great talent. A lot of people don't understand, we were in a lot of those games. 2-14 was a tough record but we were in a lot of those games. So, I think it would be great to go back and be around a lot of those guys that want to win and I think with the new atmosphere, it will be good."

Prior to his time in San Francisco, Kerley spent five seasons with the New York Jets, who drafted him out of TCU in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. The Jets released Kerley in March of 2016 and he signed on with Detroit before being traded to the 49ers.