San Francisco 49ers Biggest Free Agent Signing Called Player “To Watch”

The San Francisco 49ers’ 2025 offseason was defined more by who they lost than who they gained. 

The 49ers lost 17 players during the free agency period, including stars like Talanoa Hufanga, Dre Greenlaw, Javon Hargrave and Jordan Mason. 

In return, they didn’t sign many players. 

But the Niners did sign one player that ESPN thinks will be key for them on the offensive side of the ball in 2025. 

In an article titled, “Ranking 2025 NFL rosters: Best projected starting lineups”, ESPN called tight end Luke Farrell the 49ers’ “nonstarter to know”. 

“The 49ers used just two tight ends about 12% of the time last season, but that’s going up in 2025,” NFL analyst Aaron Schatz wrote. 

The 49ers signed Farrell to a three-year contract up to $20.25 million this offseason, the largest contract they signed any player to. 

Luke Farrell’s Resumé

Luke Farrell is a tight end who knows his role. 

Since his college days at Ohio State, he’s been an unselfish player who focuses almost solely on blocking. As a Buckeye, he never had more than 205 receiving yards in a season. But he still caught the attention of NFL draft scouts for his blocking ability. 

“It’s all about the blocking, where Farrell excelled for the Jaguars in recent seasons,” Shatz wrote about Farrell in the article. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Farrell in the fifth round, 145th overall back in 2021. 

Since then, he’s been reliable, durable and stuck to his role. He’s played in all 17 games for the Jaguars in the last 3 seasons. He’s never had more than 155 yards in a season, which he recorded in 2023, and still has never scored an NFL touchdown. 

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But he’s going to be a needed asset for San Francisco in run and pass protection. They don’t need him to be a pass catcher since they have George Kittle.

And who knows? The 49ers may just dial up some plays for him to get his first NFL touchdown in San Francisco. 

Who Else did the 49ers Sign in 2025?  

Apart from Farrell, the 49ers biggest free agent signing may have been QB Mac Jones. 

Jones is not going to start over Brock Purdy, but if Purdy has injury struggles like he did last season, Jones is an upgrade over Brandon Allen and Josh Dobbs when it comes to giving the 49ers a chance to win football games. 

WR Demarcus Robinson also figures to be a rotational player for San Francisco but he is likely going to miss time. He is facing discipline from the NFL after a DUI charge. 

Their biggest non-draft acquisition was EDGE rusher Bryce Huff via trade. 

The 49ers did sign one former Pro Bowl to a starting role, but that role was long snapper. Nonetheless, the 49ers are happy to have Jon Weeks in San Francisco as the latest stop of his storied career. 

So Farrell is viewed as likely the most important contributor. 

What do you think, 49ers fans? Will Luke Farrell be important to the 49ers in 2025? Besides Farrell, who was their most important free agent signing.