According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, the San Francisco 49ers have tendered restricted free agent defensive end Sam Okuayinonu to a one-year, $3.546 million deal.
The 49ers have tendered RFA defensive end Sam Okuayinonu – one year for $3.546 million.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) March 11, 2026
A restricted free agent is a player with three accrued seasons whose contract has expired, but whose original team retains certain rights to match offers from other teams. For higher tenders, if the player signs elsewhere, the original team may receive draft compensation from the signing team in return. However, the $3.546 million price point suggests this is simply a right-of-first-refusal tender.
Okuayinonu entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Maryland in 2022, signing with the Tennessee Titans. He appeared in six games for the Titans before being waived and later signing with the 49ers' practice squad in January 2024. He later signed a reserve/future contract.
Okuayinonu started the 2024 season on the 49ers' practice squad before being promoted to the active roster in late September. He re-signed with San Francisco in March 2025.
During the 2025 season, Okuayinonu recorded 39 tackles (six for a loss), three sacks, and one forced fumble while appearing in 15 regular-season games with a career-high 12 starts.
Over his NFL career, Okuayinonu has appeared in 37 games with 15 starts, totaling 85 tackles and 6.5 sacks. His career defensive production also includes two forced fumbles and one pass defensed.
Comments