General manager John Lynch joined 49ers Live on Thursday afternoon and shared his thoughts on the team's current group of safeties and the decision to bring Ward back.
"We like our free safety group," Lynch said. "I think, first of all, it was big for us to bring back Jimmie Ward. I know that's a hot-button item because he hasn't been able to stay healthy. We aren't blind to that. We understand that.
"There's a lot to like about Jimmie Ward, though, and what he brings. So are we taking a gamble? Yes, but that's accounted for in our contract with him. Jimmie wanted to be here. We wanted to give him that opportunity to come back, so we came to an agreement that worked for both sides.
"Aside from him, Adrian Colbert was a guy who, for whatever reason, didn't carry over that rookie season, and then got hurt. But we felt like he was starting to play like the guy we saw his rookie season that we really thought was going to be our long-term answer at free safety, so he's very much in that conversation.
"I think people forget D.J. Reed, who was a drafted player in the fifth round last year. He's got great versatility. Remember, on game day, we can only dress 53 players. A guy like D.J. Reed, who can play the nickel spot, can play free safety, and also play outside corner, and be a punt and kick returner, he provides a lot of different options. And D.J., we see (him) as a viable option there, as well as a lot of places."
Lynch went on to add Jaquiski Tartt, who can play both safety spots, and Antone Exum as options as well.
"We think we're pretty well-stocked there," he continued. "That's not to say if an opportunity presents itself, that we won't go there, but we feel pretty good about our free safety spot."
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Florio: Brock Purdy may never become a top QB, so why should the 49ers pay him like one?
Mike Florio's hot takes frequently spark debate among NFL fans, and his latest comments about San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will probably be no exception. As the 49ers enter contract extension talks with Purdy—talks expected to make him one of the NFL's... -
Bleacher Report links C.J. Mosley to 49ers as free-agent fit
Most expect the San Francisco 49ers to address the linebacker position in the 2025 NFL Draft following the departure of Dre Greenlaw in free agency. After the Denver Broncos extended an offer to Greenlaw, head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch flew to Texas in... -
49ers Draft: John and Kyle, Know Thyselves
Pundits across the league have identified the 49ers' needs (look to this excellent article by Kraz Greinetz for a nuanced evaluation), and it is clear there are holes in almost every part of the roster, some gaping, some small. Since this draft is one the powers-that-be must... -
49ers conduct pre-draft meeting with Pitt WR Konata Mumpfield
The San Francisco 49ers are entering the final stretch of preparations for the 2025 NFL Draft and are continuing to wrap up their pre-draft evaluations. As part of the process, the team is meeting with various draft prospects, with many of those interviews taking place...