49ers Considering Reunion With Veteran Pass Rusher

The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly interested in bringing back a former player to bolster their pass rush.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 10:57pm

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The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly considering a reunion with veteran pass rusher Leonard Floyd, who played for the team in 2024. Floyd, who is 33 years old, is a free agent after spending last season with the Atlanta Falcons. The 49ers are in need of pass rushing help, especially with Nick Bosa recovering from a torn ACL. While Floyd may not be the ideal long-term solution, he could provide a decent stopgap and mentor for the team's younger pass rushers.

Why it matters

The 49ers' pass rush was a weakness last season, and they will need to address that area to remain a contender in the NFC. Bringing back a veteran like Floyd, who has experience in their system, could be a cost-effective way to bolster their front seven while Bosa recovers.

The details

Leonard Floyd spent the 2024 season with the 49ers, recording 8.5 sacks, 42 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 21 quarterback pressures. Last season with the Falcons, he had 3.5 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, and five tackles for loss. While Floyd is no longer the dominant pass rusher he once was, he could still provide value as a rotational player and mentor for the 49ers' young edge rushers.

  • Floyd played for the 49ers in the 2024 season.
  • Floyd is currently a free agent after spending the 2025 season with the Atlanta Falcons.

The players

Leonard Floyd

A 33-year-old veteran pass rusher who spent the 2024 season with the San Francisco 49ers and the 2025 season with the Atlanta Falcons.

Nick Bosa

The 49ers' star defensive end who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in Week 3 of the 2025 season.

Mykel Williams

A young, unproven edge rusher on the 49ers' roster who could benefit from the mentorship of a veteran like Leonard Floyd.

CJ West

Another young, unproven edge rusher on the 49ers' roster who could benefit from the mentorship of a veteran like Leonard Floyd.

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What they’re saying

“Pass-rusher Leonard Floyd has entered the "veteran mercenary" stage of his career. However, the 33-year-old remains a disruptive defender who would make plenty of sense for a contender in need of edge help.”

— Kristopher Knox, Bleacher Report Writer

What’s next

The 49ers will need to decide if signing the 33-year-old Floyd is the best way to address their pass rushing needs, or if they should look to younger options in free agency or the draft.

The takeaway

The 49ers' decision to potentially bring back Leonard Floyd highlights the team's need to bolster their pass rush, especially with Nick Bosa recovering from injury. While Floyd may not be a long-term solution, he could provide valuable experience and mentorship to the team's younger edge rushers.