There had been reports on what happened surrounding the actual trade. The New Orleans Saints were reportedly going to select Foster with the last pick in the first round (32 overall) and the 49ers leaped them to select the former Alabama linebacker. Apparently, Foster was on the phone with both the Saints and the 49ers at the same time.
"The 32 pick was about to come up," Foster shared with the media during a press conference on Friday to introduce him and fellow first-round pick Solomon Thomas. "So, I get a call from the New Orleans Saints and they say, 'Are you in Louisiana/Baton Rouge?' I say, 'No sir. I'm in Miami, Florida."
The Saints then wanted to speak to his girlfriend, who was from the New Orleans area. Obviously, Foster being selected by the Saints would be a big win for her because she would not have to go far and could remain near her family. However, Foster grew up loving the 49ers and when he saw a call coming in from the San Jose area, he immediately answered.
"I said 'Hello' while the New Orleans Saints were on the other line," Foster said. "And I'm like, 'Dang.' But I wanted to be a 49er so bad, it wasn't funny. Man, it was crazy."
"I told John Lynch that it was too late," Foster continued. "I said, 'Man, coach, you're the 34th pick. It's too late. The New Orleans Saints about to get me."
Foster said that the Saints were certain that they were going to select him and were welcoming him and his girlfriend when the 49ers called. Foster was asked if it was awkward when he clicked back over to speak to the Saints following the news from Lynch that the 49ers had traded ahead of New Orleans to select him. "No," Foster said. "I hung up."
That answer made the media in the room erupt in laughter.
Update:
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Jason McIntyre predicts 49ers could part ways with Kyle Shanahan or John Lynch after 2026 season
Jason McIntyre isn't necessarily predicting Kyle Shanahan will be fired by the San Francisco 49ers after the 2026 season. But he isn't ruling it out, either. During a recent appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, McIntyre made a bold prediction that either Shanahan or Green... -
49ers injury news: Kyle Shanahan provides 3 key updates after win over Raiders
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters after Thursday night's 18-12 preseason win over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium, providing three key injury updates from the game. Rookie cornerback Ephesians Prysock, a fourth-round pick in the 2026... -
49ers CEO Al Guido reportedly representing team at NFL meeting after Jed York arrest
NFL owners and designated team representatives gathered Wednesday at an Atlanta hotel to formally vote on the sale of the Seattle Seahawks. The sale was approved, while the league also addressed other issues. Normally, it's assumed that San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York would... -
49ers arrive in Australia ahead of historic Week 1 game vs. Rams
The San Francisco 49ers have officially arrived in Australia, where they will face the Los Angeles Rams at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne in Week 1. The team traveled aboard a Qantas A380, one of the world's largest passenger aircraft, which touched down at Melbourne...