The San Francisco 49ers are among the numerous teams that are in the mix for recently released cornerback Joe Haden, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. The 28-year-old cornerback was released by the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday morning and is free to start entertaining offers after 1 p.m. PT, according to the NFL. Other teams reportedly in play include the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, and Kansas City Chiefs.
Joe Haden is entertaining 1year and multi-year offers. Expected to pick a team w/in 24hrs. PIT, MIA, NO, PHI, KC, SF very much in mix...
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) August 30, 2017
49ers general manager John Lynch was on KNBR shortly after Haden's release and was asked about the cornerback. At the time, Lynch had not yet had a chance to speak with head coach Kyle Shanahan about the possibility of adding the two-time Pro Bowl selection but planned to do so immediately following the interview.
"We've been watching Joe, just like players throughout this league, for a while," Lynch said. "There's been some conjecture that maybe this would be the ultimate result in Cleveland. So, like with any other player, we've been doing our due diligence and we will always try to improve our team when we feel like we can.
"So, going through that process right now. If we feel like he can help us at that position, then we'll get involved and get active. We're in that process right now. Kyle and I haven't talked about it since it actually became a reality so we'll do that probably right after we hang up (from this interview) and see where we go."
Haden was the seventh overall selection by the Browns in the 2010 NFL Draft. He has 377 tackles, 19 interceptions, a touchdown, 100 passes defensed, two sacks, and four forced fumbles over his NFL career.
Haden is familiar with 49es defensive backs coach Jeff Hafley, who spent two seasons (2014-2015) in the same role with the Browns.