49ers Cut DE Dee Ford
The San Francisco 49ers have released defensive end Dee Ford after three seasons. His time with the team was limited due to a continuous back injury.
Ford was acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2019 offseason for a 2020 second-round pick. After the trade, the 49ers gave Ford a five-year, $85 million contract.
After joining San Fran, Ford made his debut with the organization in 2019. In 11 games and two starts, he recorded 14 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
The Niners faced the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, providing Ford a chance to get revenge on his former squad. San Francisco lost the game, and the DE had two tackles.
Ford only played one game in 2020 after suffering a back and neck injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the year. He appeared in six games in 2021 before hitting the injured reserve and getting shut down again.
Ford finished his 49ers career with 22 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Dee Ford Before the 49ers
The defensive lineman played college football at Auburn University from 2009-2013. The former Tiger ended his collegiate tenure with 93 tackles, 27.5 tackles for losses, 20.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
The Chiefs took the Auburn product in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Ford’s best season came in his final year with Kansas City, leading the league with seven forced fumbles. He added 55 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks, which was enough to make the Pro Bowl in 2018.
Kansas City advanced to the AFC championship in 2018 and faced the New England Patriots. The Chiefs were up 28-24 in the final quarter when Tom Brady threw an interception, but Dee Ford lined up offsides. The penalty cost Andy Reid’s team a victory, and the Patriots advanced to the Super Bowl. Ford suited up in a Kansas City jersey for the last time.
In Conclusion
Injuries kept Dee Ford from action on the gridiron and living up to big expectations. In eight NFL seasons, he tallied 40 sacks, 159 tackles, and 12 forced fumbles.
