After their previous attempt to add a backup tight end was thwarted by the Lions matching a restricted free agency offer sheet, the 49ers are now circling back to the position. Logan Thomas is set to join the team in the Bay Area.
According to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo, the 49ers and the recent Commanders starter are finalizing a deal. This will bring an end to Thomas’ lengthy free agency stay after being released by Washington before the start of free agency. A former quarterback, Thomas will now have the opportunity to play his 11th NFL season.
San Francisco lost Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley to Atlanta in free agency, and Cameron Latu, a 2023 third-round pick, is coming off a season-ending knee injury. The 49ers’ offer sheet for Brock Wright did not bring the complementary piece Sam LaPorta to San Francisco as Detroit matched the three-year, $12 million deal. Thomas is now set to be George Kittle‘s top sidekick.
With recent developments, the 49ers identified the need for tight end depth. Thomas, aged 32, is expected to fill that void. Despite initially entering the league as a Cardinals backup QB, Thomas has proven to be a solid blocker. Pro Football Focus ranked the veteran pass catcher 17th in run blocking at the position last season. The 49ers heavily rely on their tight ends in the run game, and it will be intriguing to see if the 6-foot-6, 250-pound Thomas can fit into two-tight end sets alongside Kittle.
Turning 33 in early July, Thomas is coming off a four-year tenure with Washington. During his first season, he recorded a career-high 670 receiving yards, providing the team with a surprise supplementary option alongside Terry McLaurin. Thomas also achieved a career high of six touchdowns that season, earning him a three-year, $24 million deal in July 2021. Unfortunately, Thomas suffered a torn ACL during the six-game 2021 season.
Although Thomas struggled to regain his form in 2022, he showed promise in Eric Bieniemy‘s offense last year. He surpassed 40 receiving yards in seven games, finishing the season with 55 receptions for 496 yards and four touchdowns. This performance did not convince the Commanders’ new regime to retain Thomas in the final year of his contract. The team acquired ex-Kliff Kingsbury charge Zach Ertz and used a second-round pick on Ben Sinnott.
The 49ers did not draft a tight end and entered OTAs with uncertainties at the position. Recently, 2023 seventh-rounder Brayden Willis seemed to be leading for the team’s TE2 role, but Latu is also expected to make an impact before the season begins. The team also has veteran Eric Saubert on the roster. Thomas’ addition will create competition among the team’s lesser-known tight ends.
Although Kittle has played through injuries in recent years, he has not missed more than three games in a season during that time. Thomas is expected to provide a veteran option for Brock Purdy in an offense loaded with talent at the skill positions, especially after the draft passed without trading Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel.
