The San Francisco 49ers seem intent on trying to keep cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, who is due to hit free agency once the 2023 league year gets underway on March 15.
Moseley is coming off a shortened season due to a torn ACL, which he sustained in the 49ers' 37-15 win over the Carolina Panthers on October 9. Moseley has established himself as one of the team's top cornerbacks since coming aboard as an undrafted rookie in 2018, and the 49ers would like their relationship with him to continue.
"He's a guy we'd have interest in bringing back because of the way he plays, but also what he stands for," 49ers general manager John Lynch said at the team's year-end press conference Wednesday. "He's one of us and we'd sure like to have him back."
Moseley's health status doesn't seem to be an issue at the moment as he's been making encouraging progress with his rehab. Lynch said Moseley is currently working out at team facilities in Santa Clara after spending time rehabbing his injury in Los Angeles.
"E-man's doing really well," Lynch said. "He's out on the field as we speak, working out here and rehabbing, doing really well. Most of the time, unless somebody's hit a complication, you typically hear (they're) doing really well, a little bit ahead of schedule, because these guys are elite athletes. And if you know Mose at all, his commitment to the process is going to be elite, and that's what he's done. He's (been) down in L.A. rehabbing for a long time. We've had him back for the last couple of weeks."
Moseley underwent surgery for his torn ACL on October 27. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on October 10 that he hoped to see Moseley in a 49ers uniform in 2023.
"It's a real sad, unfortunate thing that happened to him," Shanahan said, per NBC Sports Bay Area. "He was playing his ass off, too. He will be very missed this year. And I really, really hope to have him back next year."
Moseley is coming off a two-year, $10.1 million deal he signed with the 49ers in 2021. Moseley started all 11 games he played in for the 49ers in 2021 and has a total of 33 starts in 45 career games with 162 tackles and four interceptions. Spotrac.com has estimated Moseley's next contract at $16.6 million per year, but it remains to be seen if it will require that much for him to be back with the 49ers.