The San Francisco 49ers are re-signing defensive end Ronald Blair to a one-year deal, preventing him from hitting free agency, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The #49ers are bringing back defensive end Ronald Blair on a 1-year deal, source said. He had three sacks last year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2020
Blair, 27, landed on injured reserve on November 13, 2019, after suffering a torn ACL during Week 10 against the Seattle Seahawks. The fact that Blair could not be brought in for a physical may have impacted his market. The defender last week posted a video of himself running just four months after the injury.
There was some concern that the Cleveland Browns might try to sign Blair away from San Francisco. The Browns have two former 49ers assistants on their coaching staff. Former defensive backs coach Joe Woods is the team's defensive coordinator while pass-rush specialist Chris Kiffin was hired to be the defensive line coach.
Back to CLE, keep an eye on 49ers free agent DE Ronald Blair, as Browns shift to defense after hitting on their top 3 targets offensively Mon. Blair coming off an ACL tear, but is already running again. Has a connection to Browns coaches Kiffin/Woods, who were with him in SF
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) March 17, 2020
The 49ers made Blair a fifth-round selection out of Appalachian State in 2016. He finished this past season with 21 combined tackles and three sacks through nine games.
Blair has recorded 88 combined tackles, 13.5 sacks, and a forced fumble through his four NFL seasons, and proved himself to be a valuable part of the 49ers' defensive line rotation.