The San Francisco 49ers have agreed to terms on a restructured two-year deal for defensive end Dee Ford. It is reportedly worth $24 million, per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
The #49ers and LB Dee Ford have agreed to terms on a restructured 2-year deal worth $24M, per me and @TomPelissero. A practical, win-win solution to an ongoing issue in SF.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2021
The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Ford out of Auburn with the No. 23 overall pick in 2014. San Francisco traded a second-round pick for the pass rusher in 2019, and he recorded 6.5 sacks during an injury-plagued first season with the 49ers. Ford was even less available in 2020, appearing in just the opener and missing the remainder of the season with neck and back injuries. He registered three tackles in that one game against the Arizona Cardinals.
The 49ers could have shed Ford and much of his salary if the defender passed a physical on April 1. $11.6 million of his 2021 salary would become guaranteed at that point if he was still injured. The restructure could mean that the team didn't anticipate Ford being healthy by the deadline.
"I think everybody understands we're a better football team when Dee's out there," general manager John Lynch said in January. "He's an impactful player. He's a finisher. He's pretty emblematic of a lot of the issues that plagued our team this year. You know the old saying -- the best ability is availability, and we weren't available enough this year, and that went for Dee."
Ford, 29, has recorded 154 tackles, 37 sacks, seven passes defensed, and 11 forced fumbles through his seven NFL seasons. He is a was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2018.