The NFL free-agency season is exciting every March. It rings in the new NFL business year and gives teams and fans hope that they can win a Super Bowl. The NFL free-agency system was introduced back in 1993. Some teams build their roster through free agency, while other teams use free agency to supplement the draft.
Since we are less than one week away from the free agency negotiating window that begins on March 14th, I thought it would be fun to look back at the five greatest free-agent signings in San Francisco 49ers history—as well as the five worst.
The 5 greatest free-agent signings in 49ers history
Deion Sanders
Year signed: 1994
Previous team: Atlanta Falcons
49ers Highlight: The interception of a Jeff George pass, in Atlanta, against his old team, that was returned for a 93-yard touchdown while high-stepping and glaring at the Falcons bench the whole way.
Though he only played in San Francisco for one season, Sanders is the greatest 49ers free-agent signing because of what he brought to the team. The 49ers had been knocked out of the playoffs the previous two seasons by the Dallas Cowboys. And the Cowboys had beaten the 49ers convincingly. What Sanders brought the most was his play on the field. He was the greatest cornerback who's ever played, and his best season came in 1994, with the 49ers. Sanders picked off six passes, returning three of them for a total of 303 yards and three touchdowns. He was also named Defensive Player of the Year in 1994.
He also brought a lot of confidence to the team. He loosened up the locker room and taught the business-like 49ers how to have more fun. I honestly don't know if the 49ers beat Dallas twice in 1994 without Sanders.
Justin Smith
Year signed: 2008
Previous team: Cincinnati Bengals
49ers Highlight: Pushing Pro Bowl Tackle Jermon Bushrod back like he was on rollerskates, then reaching out with one hand, and grabbing Drew Brees, to force a bad throw, in the 4th quarter of the 2011 NFC Divisional Playoff win over the New Orleans Saints.
Smith was a great defensive lineman for the 49ers from the time the teams signed him in 2008. But he became a Bay Area legend in 2011. Not only did he dominate in the 2011 postseason, making life miserable for Brees, and a week later, Eli Manning, but Smith was the tone-setter for Vic Fangio's defense, and probably the entire team.
There was the way he set the example in the offseason, with his workout, bringing other players along. There was the play in Philadelphia, where he ran down Jeremy Maclin and forced a fumble, allowing the 49ers to come from behind to win the game. That play alone is historic among 49ers fans. The hustle and relentless motor Smith showed, not only on that play, but each play, made him a nightmare for offenses.
Ken Norton, Jr.
Year signed: 1994
Previous team: Dallas Cowboys
49ers Highlight: Intercepting St. Louis Rams quarterback, Chris Miller, twice in a 1995 game, returning both for a touchdown. After both touchdowns, Norton assaulted the goal post, in honor of his father, boxer Ken Norton, Sr.
Norton won two Super Bowls with the Cowboys before signing with the 49ers. In 1994, his first season with the team, he helped the 49ers get past Dallas and win San Francisco's fifth Super Bowl Championship. It was Norton's third Super Bowl win in a row, something no player had ever accomplished.
But the biggest thing that Norton brought to San Francisco was toughness and attitude. After the 49ers lost for a third straight time to the Cowboys, it was obvious that the team, especially the defense, wasn't tough enough. Norton changed that. The 49ers' defense became as tough as any, and it paid off, especially against the Cowboys.
Tim McDonald
Year signed: 1993
Previous team: Arizona Cardinals
49ers Highlight: His 1998 season, when he had 15 pass breakups, to go along with four sacks and four interceptions.
McDonald, who was the very first unrestricted free agent San Francsico signed, helped stabilize the 49ers secondary, which was not very good before he arrived. He was part of the Super Bowl team in 1994, and that season was a member of a secondary that sent three of its four starters to the Pro Bowl. During his tenure in San Francisco, McDonald started 111 games out of a possible 112. He was Mr. Consistent. Not only did you know he would play, but you also knew he'd be where he was supposed to be during the play.
Jeff Garcia
Year signed: 1999
Previous team: Calgary Stampeders
49ers Highlight: Leading the 49ers back from a 24-point 3rd quarter deficit in the 2002 NFC Wildcard game. In just under 18 minutes of play, Garcia threw for two touchdowns, ran for another, connected with Terrell Owens on a couple of two-point conversions, and drove the 49ers 74 yards to set up a field goal, as San Francisco posted 25 unanswered points.
Garcia was Bill Walsh's handpicked quarterback in 1999. He was supposed to be the backup to Steve Young, and perhaps take over as the starter a few years later when Young retired. But an injury to Young (more on that below) forced Garcia into the starting lineup sooner than expected. And although there were bumps in that 4-12 season, Garcia would turn into another Walsh gem.
Many 49ers fans couldn't wait to get rid of Garcia. If Young had it hard by following Montana, imagine what it was like for Garcia, following Montana and Young. But Garcia developed into a Pro Bowl quarterback (he was selected three straight seasons), and led the greatest comeback in 49ers playoff history. For all his flaws, the 49ers haven't had a Pro Bowl quarterback since Garcia in 2002.
The 5 worst free-agent signings in 49ers history
Lawrence Phillips
Year signed: 1999
Previous team: St. Louis Rams
49ers Highlight: Scoring on a 68-yard touchdown run against the Arizona Cardinals to put the game away. Unfortunately, Phillip's highlight as a 49er came late in a game in which he missed a block that ended Steve Young's career.
Early in a Monday Night Football game against the Cardinals, Phillips failed to pick up a blitzing Aeneas Williams. Williams hit Young, forcing him out of the game with a concussion. Because Young had suffered numerous concussions in his career, this one forced him to walk away from the game. It was the last play of the Hall of Famer's career. Thanks, Lawrence.
The 49ers cut Phillips because he reportedly "refused to practice."
Phillips was a great college running back, but he was a terrible NFL running back, and an even worse person. Phillips ended up in prison, with too many assault violations (mostly against women) to name here. While in prison, he murdered his cellmate in 2015. He then committed suicide in his cell in 2016. It's a sad end to a troubled life.
Jonas Jennings
Year signed: 2005
Previous team: Buffalo Bills
49ers Highlight: None
Jennings, an offensive tackle, was signed the same offseason the 49ers drafted Alex Smith and Frank Gore. Jennings was supposed to protect Smith and create holes for Gore for years to come. That never happened, because "Glass" Jennings, as 49ers fans lovingly called him, barely played. Jennings missed 41 of 64 games.
Gabe Wilkins
Year signed: 1998
Previous team: Green Bay Packers
49ers Highlight: One sack in 1999
Wilkins was supposed to be a huge addition to the 49ers' defensive front. They paid him a lot of money to be that guy (five years, $20 million). But he started only four games in 1998, because of injuries. He started 15 games in 1999 but was never a factor. He retired at the end of the 1999 season.
Antonio Langham
Year signed: 1998
Previous team: Baltimore Ravens
49ers Highlight: One interception in his one season with the 49ers.
Langham was brought in the same offseason as Wilkins. He was supposed to be a top cornerback, but he was far from that. He started only six games with San Francisco, playing in only 11. And like some 2021 49ers corners, that shall remain nameless, Langham was called for five pass-interference penalties in his first four games as a 49er.
Nate Clements
Year signed: 2007
Previous team: Buffalo Bills
49ers Highlight: In 2010, Clements had three interceptions, 10 passes defended, one sack, and three forced fumbles. Unfortunately, he fumbled one of his interceptions, which looked like it might be a game-winner against the Falcons, back to the Falcons, clinching the Atlanta win.
Clements wasn't a terrible player with the 49ers. In his four seasons he played in just about every game, except in 2009. He was very durable, and a solid player. The problem, and the reason Clements is on this list, is because of his enormous, eight-year, $80 million contract. The 49ers were a rebuilding team at that time, and the contract, which made Clements one of the highest-paid defensive players in NFL history at the time, never lived up to it.
This March, let's hope the 49ers sign more players like the top five, and none like the bottom five.
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