49ers Retain Backup OL Austen Pleasants on $1.075M Deal

The 49ers have locked up their exclusive rights free agent offensive lineman for the 2026 season.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The San Francisco 49ers have re-signed offensive lineman Austen Pleasants to a one-year, $1.075 million exclusive rights free agent tender. Pleasants, who has served as a backup and swing tackle for the 49ers, will return to the team for a second consecutive season after playing a career-high 15 games in 2025.

Why it matters

Retaining Pleasants provides the 49ers with valuable offensive line depth behind starters Trent Williams and Colton McKivitz. Pleasants showed promise in limited action last season, including starting one game, and the 49ers view him as a quality reserve who can step in if needed.

The details

As an exclusive rights free agent, Pleasants had limited options and the 49ers were able to retain him on a low-cost one-year deal. The 28-year-old played 125 offensive snaps in 2025, including starting one game when Williams was sidelined. Pleasants had only 77 career snaps prior to last season, so the 49ers are hoping he can build on his increased playing time and solidify the offensive line depth.

  • The 49ers tendered Pleasants on February 14, 2026.

The players

Austen Pleasants

A 28-year-old offensive lineman who has served as a backup and swing tackle for the San Francisco 49ers.

Trent Williams

The 49ers' starting left tackle, a seven-time Pro Bowler.

Colton McKivitz

The 49ers' starting right tackle.

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What they’re saying

“Retaining Austen Pleasants on an exclusive rights free agent tender is a smart, low-cost move to keep valuable offensive line depth in place for the 49ers.”

— Niners Wire Staff (Niners Wire)

The takeaway

The 49ers' decision to retain Austen Pleasants highlights the importance of building quality depth along the offensive line, a key to the team's success in recent years. Pleasants' increased playing time in 2025 suggests he could be a reliable backup option for the 49ers in 2026 and beyond.