The San Francisco 49ers have a lot of players scheduled to become free agents after this season. The team has several difficult decisions to make concerning the future of the roster. One of those decisions is the potential return of Kerry Hyder, who leads the team in sacks with a career-high 8.5.
Hyder isn't thinking too far beyond Sunday's finale against the Seattle Seahawks, though.
"I'm looking forward to the offseason, that kind of thing," Hyder told reporters on Friday. "But just really focused on this week right now, and just trying to finish off strong, and it's going to take care of itself later."
Hyder's two best seasons — this one and 2016 when he racked up eight sacks — have both come while working with defensive line coach Kris Kocurek. That probably isn't a coincidence. The two have great respect for each other.
Will Kocurek's presence with San Francisco influence his offseason decisions?
"I love playing for Coach Kris, and I love being here with the 49ers," Hyder said. "I'm always thinking about that, but the offseason is going to take care of itself. I ain't really thinking too far ahead on that, but obviously, I love playing with Coach Kris and with the 49ers."
Hyder feels he is still improving as a player since that eight-sack 2016 season. The defender has proven he can bring the pressure. In addition to his career-high sack number, he has racked up 48 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, and 18 quarterback hits through 15 games this season.
"I would say, overall, I've become a better player," Hyder said. "That year in 2016 was my first year playing defensive end in my life. So, I think I'm definitely a better player than I was in 2016."
Hyder entered the NFL in 2014 as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets. He also spent time with the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys before signing a one-year deal with San Francisco on March 25, 2020.