San Francisco 49ers safety Jaquiski Tartt signed a two-year extension on Friday. Shortly after the team announced the news, he spoke with the media via a conference call. Tartt revealed that the new deal was in the works since February.
A broken forearm shortened Tartt's 2017 season. He explained what it was like watching his team find success in the final games of the season without him on the football field.
"It's very hard," Tartt said. "The team was winning. I felt like I wanted to be a part of that. I mean, I wish I was, but I just wanted to be on the field playing with my teammates."
The 49ers signed former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman earlier in the offseason.
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"Sherman, his presence is just automatically felt once he walks in the room," Tartt said. "He's that kind of guy. He's very knowledgeable about the game. He's a leader, and there's so much to learn from him on and off the field. That's definitely a plus for our secondary."
Tartt was asked what he is working on this offseason to improve his game.
"Definitely my footwork," Tartt said. "[Defensive backs coach Jeff Hafley], he's been doing a tremendous job with me since he got here, since day one. [Regarding my footwork], just taking the right step towards the ball. Sometimes I cross over going to the ball. I did it a lot. Sometimes I do it when I come to make a tackle. So I'm going to work on my footwork. A lot more footwork."
Tartt also said his goal is to work harder learning what other teams like to do against the 49ers defense and better prepare for it.