The San Francisco 49ers have re-signed cornerback Jason Verrett to a one-year deal. The news was first reported by Josina Anderson and then confirmed by general manager John Lynch.
I'm told CB Jason Verrett is returning to SF on a 1-year deal, per source.
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 15, 2021
Fired up to have @Jfeeva_2 back w the squad! 🔥 Congratulations JV!
— John Lynch (@JohnLynch49ers) March 15, 2021
Ian Rapoport reports that Verrett had a multi-year offer on the table but opted to return to San Francisco and once again bet on himself. The one-year deal is worth $5.5 million and can jump to $6.5 million if he makes the Pro Bowl.
"JV has a remarkable work ethic which allowed him to persevere over the past two years as he [re-established] himself as a top-tier cornerback," Lynch said via a statement issued by the 49ers 16 days after the first report. "His determination is extraordinary and we appreciate how he leads by example in the way that he approaches the game. We're ecstatic to reward him for all of his hard work and can't wait to have him back in the red and gold."
The 2020 season was Verrett's first completely healthy season since a 2015 campaign that resulted in a Pro Bowl selection. The cornerback landed on injured reserve during five of his first six NFL seasons.
#49ers CB Jason Verrett had a multi-year offer on the table, but opted to bet on himself again. He shined when healthy. He gets a 1-year deal worth $5.5M that can be $6.5M if he makes the Pro Bowl. A solid deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2021
The then-San Diego Chargers drafted Verrett out of Texas Christian with the No. 25 overall pick in 2014. He registered 60 tackles, seven passes defensed, and two interceptions through 13 games with the 49ers in 2020.
Verrett, 29, has recorded 140 tackles, four tackles for a loss, a quarterback hit, 26 passes defensed, seven interceptions, and a touchdown through his six NFL seasons (he did not play in 2018). The cornerback admitted in January that San Francisco's faith in him could factor into any free-agency decision.
"Coming here and seeing how they turned things around for me physically, mentally, it's kind of hard to not want to come back," Verrett said. "It's kind of hard not to want to see if we can work things out because it's a class act organization. They've done a hell of a job with me throughout my time last year and throughout this year."
Note: Article updated to include statement from John Lynch upon the official announcement over two weeks after this report.