Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Javon Hargrave loved “everything but the taxes” in deal to join 49ers
Mar 17, 2023 at 11:27 AM
•
After a very productive season with the Philadelphia Eagles, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave earned a big payday with the San Francisco 49ers, signing a four-year deal worth up to $84 million. That is life-changing money for the 30-year-old.
Hargrave joined KNBR on Friday to discuss the move from Philly to the Bay Area.
"I was talking to them before I even signed, and one thing I even told him, even the players that had [contacted] me was just it ain't really too much convincing you all can do," Hargrave said. "You ain't really got to convince me. I guess they thought I was playing at the time, but it ain't really hard to convince when you go into a team that's built on winning, and one, they trying to come pay me big money."
Going from one stacked roster to another stacked roster is a rarity for a player looking to cash in on free agency. Although, the raise comes with some cost. Hargrave loves the idea of heading to California but quickly learned that living and working in the beautiful state isn't cheap.
"That really was a pretty simple decision for me. Everything but the taxes," Hargrave admitted. "... That's the only bad [thing]. But football-wise, there was no negative. Even asking some of my old teammates and some of my coaches that know about it, it was just so many good things to say about it. So it just made me real comfortable with making a decision."
Hargrave couldn't have asked for a better situation, going from the NFC champion Eagles to the team his Eagles faced in that NFC title game.
"It's definitely great when you can leave one team with a bunch of talent and go to another team with a bunch of talent," Hargrave shared. "It's pretty good because it's the NFL. You can't win by yourself. No matter how great you are, you need great teammates to win in the NFL.
"So it was just [great] to know how much talent, how many great players are over here and just really come over here and put my head down and get the work, try to contribute and help us, help them get better and have them help me get better. So it's really exciting. Just be a part of this."
Hargrave's new teammates, players like
Nick Bosa and
Arik Armstead, immediately reached out to congratulate him on joining the 49ers and earning a massive contract.
"I told them they just some dogs, so I'm happy to be here, too," Hargrave said. "So I just hope we can put our heads down and get to work."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Hargrave below.
Nobody's perfect. Did you find a mistake in this article?
Report it.
LISTEN
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers' free-agency pursuit surprised Javon Hargrave
Javon Hargrave was nervous heading into free agency. He knew he would get paid but was concerned that he might have to sacrifice success in the process. The defensive tackle had just been to a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles. Often, the teams with the most money to spend are the ones that are rebuilding.
Things appear to have worked out beautifully for Hargrave.
"Sometimes when you're trying to go get the money, you have to go to a team that's in a rebuild mode," Hargrave said. "But if you've got a chance to go to a team that was just in the NFC Championship, that's kind of an easy choice for me. So I was real happy about it.
"It really made me happy because I was real nervous about free agency, on where I was going to have to go. But I feel
Javon Hargrave: 49ers-Eagles would have been a different game with a healthy Brock Purdy
Everything changed in the NFC Championship Game when quarterback Brock Purdy exited early with an injury. He eventually returned because his backup, Josh Johnson, exited with a concussion. Purdy could not throw, though. He suffered a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, leaving the San Francisco 49ers to become one-dimensional, abandoning the pass and depending solely on the run game.
For fans, it was a difficult game to watch. Everyone anticipated a more evenly matched battle between the two best teams in the NFC. Instead, they got an Eagles powerhouse defense going against a limping 49ers offense.
"We kind of knew it was going to be different when all you can do is run the ball," former Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave said
Why decision to return to 49ers was easy for Jake Brendel; Center discusses Javon Hargrave signing
Jake Brendel had suitors in free agency. Several teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, were interested in the veteran center. Ultimately, much to the delight of fans, he returned to the Niners, his NFL home since 2020.
Brendel played 1,252 snaps this past season, by far the most of his career. His 62.9 overall, 71.8 pass-blocking, and 61.9 run-blocking Pro Football Focus grades were each the second-highest of his career.
Despite being in the league since 2016, Brendel played just 250 total snaps before this past season, so he lacks the wear and tear of most 30-year-old offensive linemen. The center still feels like his career is just getting started, and his play is on the rise.
"Honestly, I
Jason Kelce: 49ers adding Javon Hargrave "not going to make it any easier" for Eagles
Adding Javon Hargrave was a huge (and shocking) addition by the San Francisco 49ers. While it seems like a perfect fit and addresses a significant team need, no one saw it coming. The Niners didn't have considerable salary cap space, so signing Hargrave to a four-year, $84 million deal was unexpected.
The former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle, nicknamed "Grave Digger," joins a defensive line that includes NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead, bolstering the middle of that unit.
One of the defender's former teammates is happy for Hargrave and his financial good fortune. However, he also knows the loss could be problematic for the defending NFC champions in the upcoming season.
"I'm happy for my man, Grave Digger," Eagles
