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Jordan Matthews had to figure out a way to pry No. 81 away from wide receiver
Trent Taylor upon signing with the San Francisco 49ers in March. Usually, that involves the veteran player writing a check to the younger player. Matthews was ready to do so and reached out to Taylor but was taken aback by the third-year receiver's initial asking price.
He didn't give up, though.
Matthews, who
joined KNBR on Monday, wore No. 87 in college. It was a tight end number that was pretty much thrown at him, and it stuck. He couldn't get No. 87 when drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles because of tight end Brent Celek. No. 87, obviously, wasn't going to happen in San Francisco.
So he focused on getting his hands on No. 81.
"I really wanted 81, but this guy, this 5-foot-9 beast, has it," Matthews explained on the "Papa and Lund" show. "I don't want to fight him for it."
That's when Matthews started doing his homework. He saw that Pierre Garçon was no longer on the roster, and learned that Taylor wore No. 5 in college.
"I know for a fact, this kid, he's the first 5-9 receiver ever to wear No. 81," Matthews jokingly continued. "He wants to go to 15. He looks way better in 15. But I guarantee you, this little swindler is going to make me still pay for it."
Then when he saw the initial asking price, Matthews said he told Taylor they might have to fight when he arrived. Taylor eventually agreed to switch to No. 15 and No. 81 was Matthews' to use.
So how much did Taylor make off of Matthews? The veteran receiver didn't go into specifics but suggested that it wasn't a bargain.
"Just know if you see his girlfriend with a nice wedding ring on, just know — I better be third down the line at the wedding," Matthews said.
The veteran receiver added, "It definitely gave me more incentive to make the team. I can't spend this much money and get cut."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Matthews below.
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel will be wearing No. 1 the next time he steps onto the football field, leaving behind his No. 19 jersey. It's an unfortunate change for any fan who previously invested in a Deebo jersey—unless they consider it a throwback.
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The 49ers' official team site has listed the jersey numbers for several of the team's free-agent newcomers (and Maliek Collins, acquired via a
Trent Williams will be 36 at the start of the 2024 NFL season. While retirement isn't on his mind just yet, the San Francisco 49ers must consider a succession plan for left tackle.
NFL Media's Bucky Brooks unveiled his final mock draft, projecting the San Francisco 49ers to select former Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan with the No. 31 overall pick as their eventual replacement for Williams.
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NFL Communications has officially announced the "NFL legends and active players" who will announce selections during Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Representing the San Francisco 49ers will be former defensive tackle Anthony "Spice" Adams, who spent four seasons with the team and nine in the NFL.
San Francisco selected Adams out of Penn State in the second round (No. 57 overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft.
The NFL's full announcement is below.
In the NFL's continuous effort to connect the game's greats with the next generation of stars, NFL Legends and active players will add to the excitement of the 2024 NFL Draft by announcing various selections and participating in festivities in Detroit.
Pro Football Hall of Famers Isaac
