Restricted free agent linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles was not given an RFA tender by San Francisco before the 2023 league year began per Matt Barrows of the Athletic. The 26-year-old LB is now an unrestricted free agent.
Not tendering Flannigan-Fowles doesn’t necessarily rule out his return to San Francisco. The lowest RFA tender – right of first refusal – would have given the 49ers a chance to match any deal he got in free agency, but also would’ve given him a $2,627,000 salary for the 2023 season.
Now Flannigan-Fowles can explore the market and perhaps return to the 49ers on a deal cheaper than the $2.6 million exclusive rights tender.
The 49ers signed Flannigan-Fowles as a safety out of the University of Arizona after he wasn’t selected in the 2019 draft. He wound up carving out a role in 2020 and played 45 games across his three seasons with San Francisco. In 45 games, mostly as a special teams contributor, he posted 60 tackles, one tackle for loss and 1.0 sacks.
