The 49ers are bringing back one of their playoff heroes. Defensive end Jordan Willis is back with San Francisco on a one-year contract the team announced Wednesday.
Willis was acquired by the 49ers via trade during the 2020 season. He posted 2.5 sacks in seven games and then returned for 2021 despite a suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy that cost him the first six games of the year.
In 10 games last season Willis put up a career-high 3.0 sacks. He made his way into 49ers lore with a pair of special teams plays that sparked the team’s divisional playoff win over the Packers. First he made a nice move to free Jimmie Ward to block a field goal at the end of the first half. Then he blocked a punt that was recovered for the 49ers’ only touchdown in a 13-10 win.