NFL free agency officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, with impending free agents permitted to negotiate with other teams during the legal tampering period, which begins two days earlier. It's a pivotal time for the San Francisco 49ers, as some familiar faces depart while new additions arrive.
As things currently stand, the 49ers are scheduled to have 28 players reach free agency. That group includes 21 unrestricted free agents, six restricted free agents, and one exclusive-rights free agent.
Below is a breakdown of the different free-agent classifications, followed by a complete list of the 49ers players set to hit the open market in March.
Unrestricted free agent (UFA): A player with an expiring contract who has accrued four or more seasons and is free to negotiate with any team once the new league year begins.
Restricted free agent (RFA): A player with an expiring contract who has three accrued seasons. The original team can match any offer the player receives from another team.
Exclusive-rights free agent (ERFA): A player with an expiring contract who has fewer than three accrued seasons. He cannot negotiate with other teams if his original team extends a qualifying offer.
Unrestricted free agents
- LG Ben Bartch
- WR Kendrick Bourne
- LG Spencer Burford
- DT Jordan Elliott
- DE Clelin Ferrell
- LB Luke Gifford
- DT Kevin Givens
- DE Yetur Gross-Matos
- C Matt Hennessy
- WR Jauan Jennings
- LB Eric Kendricks
- WR Skyy Moore
- P Thomas Morstead
- K Eddy Pineiro
- S Jason Pinnock
- RB Brian Robinson Jr.
- LB Curtis Robinson
- RB Patrick Taylor
- WR Trent Taylor
- LB Garret Wallow
- LS Jon Weeks
Restricted free agents
- DE Robert Beal Jr.
- DT Kalia Davis
- DE Tarron Jackson
- CB Chase Lucas
- DE Sam Okuayinonu
- TE Jake Tonges