The San Francisco 49ers said goodbye to a lot of familiar faces this offseason. One such face was long-snapper Taybor Pepper who was released by the 49ers. The veteran is still looking for a new home in free agency.
San Francisco parted ways with Pepper after five seasons. The man-bun-sporting long-snapper was probably not noticed much by fans as long-snappers are rarely mentioned unless something goes wrong. Thankfully, more often than not, Pepper was rock solid sending the football back to the holder or punter on field goals and punts.
One of the few times Pepper became embroiled in controversy was when wide receiver Deebo Samuel had some words for kicker Jake Moody during last season's contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after Moody missed one of several kicks. Pepper quickly got in the middle of the two and things got heated between them.
Perhaps more than anything the moment was an example of how trying a season 2024 was for the Niners. Yet, both Samuel and Pepper are now gone, so hopefully there are no more near-brawls between long-snappers and wide receivers going forward.
Initially when he was released, it seemed like the 49ers were trying to save money. Yet, the fact that they signed veteran long-snapper Jon Weeks seemed to run counter to that strategy. Weeks was signed to a contract slightly more expensive than what Pepper was set to make. Maybe new special teams coordinator Brant Boyer preferred Weeks and sees him as a better option.
No matter what, Pepper still remains without a team. He has stayed busy this offseason, visiting Japan on vacation and attending a cybersecurity conference. He recently moved out of his apartment in Santa Clara, so it truly is the end of an era as he looks to sign with a new team.
If it takes a while for him to find a new home, we know that he has been active on Cameo in the past making videos for video gamers playing Madden looking to trash talk their friends in unique ways. In the gig economy you need every opportunity you can get.
Pepper's path to becoming the long-time long-snapper for the Niners was a long and winding one. It may be a winding path for him to find his next opportunity in the NFL, but no matter what 49ers fans will remember him and his man-bun fondly.
