The San Francisco 49ers need to find some additional help at safety this offseason. They announced one small step toward finding that help Tuesday.
San Francisco added former Los Angeles Rams undrafted safety Quindell Johnson on a reserve/future contract.
Johnson was a UDFA signing for the Rams in 2023, but he didn’t make their final roster and was claimed by the Chicago Bears. He spent his rookie season in Chicago and played in nine games, registering a pair of tackles, one interception and one pass breakup.
The Bears let Johnson go at the end of the 2024 preseason. He made his way to the Rams practice squad early in the year and spent the entire season there.
It’ll be interesting to see how the 49ers navigate the safety position this offseason. Talanoa Hufanga is slated for unrestricted free agency and will likely have a market beyond what San Francisco can or will pay for a starting safety.
2023 third-round pick Ji’Ayir Brown struggled some in his second season, bringing questions to the 49ers’ depth chart in the secondary.
Veteran special teams ace George Odum is still on the roster, and Johnson joined 2024 undrafted rookie Jaylen Mahoney as reserve/future contract signees in January. They’ll both be on the 90-man roster with a real chance to carve out a spot on the active roster in OTAs and training camp.
