49ers urged to re-sign standout defender 'as soon as the season ends'

Charlie Baduini

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49ers urged to re-sign standout defender 'as soon as the season ends' image

Despite an astounding number of injuries on the defensive side of the ball this season, the San Fransico 49ers have still put together a solid unit so far in 2025.

All-Pro's Nick Bosa and Fred Warner have suffered season-ending injuries, but under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, the Niners' defense has been a major factor in their 9-4 record.

But one young player has stepped up in a meaningful way and will be eligible for an extension at season's end.

Grant Cohn urges 49ers to re-sign Ji'Ayir Brown

49ers reporter Grant Cohn strongly urged San Fransciso to re-sign third-year safety Ji'Ayir Brown, who has stepped up in the wake of numerous injuries this season.

"The player the 49ers should extend is Ji'Ayir Brown. He's a former third-round pick who played well as a rookie, intercepted Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, struggled in his second season under his second defensive coordinator, Nick Sorensen, and now has revived his career under his third defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh," wrote Cohn.

"Brown currently is the highest-graded player on the 49ers defense who has played at least 500 snaps. That's because he can line up in the box, at free safety, in the slot, he can intercept passes, he's good against the run and he can blitz. He's extremely well-rounded. He's similar to Talanoa Hufanga, who's having a terrific season for the Broncos."

Since being selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Brown has appeared in 45 games for the 49ers and started 27 of them.

In that time, he's racked up five interceptions, 15 passes defended, and 165 tackles, serving as a viable replacement for Talanoa Hufanga.

John Lynch and the Niners' brass should be proactive in retaining homegrown talent and look to lock up Brown to a long-term extension before his value gets any higher.

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Staff Writer