Dial was released by the 49ers on September 2 during the team's roster cuts. In February of 2016, Dial signed a three-year extension with the 49ers that maxed out at $16.5 million over the contract and guaranteed him $5.3 million. He had been scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2017.
Dial, a former starter along the 49ers' defensive line, was considered to be a talented player but was never viewed as a fit within San Francisco's new defensive scheme. He had been primarily working behind Earl Mitchell during the offseason. Mitchell was among the new 49ers regime's first free agent signings.
Dial, who is 27 years old, was selected out of Alabama by the 49ers in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He has 126 tackles and 4.5 sacks over his career. In August of 2013, Dial was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list but played in three games making one tackle. In 2014, he played in 14 games making 30 tackles with two sacks and a pass defensed.
2015 was Dial's best career season. He started 15 games and had 59 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one pass defensed. He followed that up last year with just 36 tackles and two passes defensed in 11 starts and 14 appearances.
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