Since coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch took over in 2017, the San Francisco 49ers have
prioritized improving their defensive line. They did it again Friday, agreeing to a deal with the Denver Broncos to
bring edge rusher Randy Gregory to the Bay Area.
The Niners received Gregory and a 2024 seventh-round pick from the Broncos in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round
pick, the clubs said.
“Two years ago, when we played them in Dallas, he was as good of a rusher as we had gone against,” Shanahan told
reporters. “Being able to add a guy like that, we feel he will make our team better, and that’s why we didn’t hesitate to
do it.”
The economics of the deal were an important consideration. According to sources, the Broncos will pay Gregory
approximately $10 million for the remainder of the season, while the Niners will pay him the veteran minimum.
Gregory has three years remaining on his contract, but none of it is guaranteed beyond 2023.
While the 49ers have over $40 million in salary cap room, they aim to carry the majority of that over to future years
in order to re-sign key players such as wideout Brandon Aiyuk, who will be in the fifth year of his rookie contract in
2024.
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“That’s why we felt so good about it,” Shanahan explained. “Especially when completing a deal, it’s important to flip
sixth and seventh without losing money. So we’re fortunate to have him on our squad.”
The agreement occurred after a week of uncertainty over Gregory’s future with the Broncos. Gregory had not been to
Denver’s practice facility since he and his representatives requested a release earlier this week, according to ESPN.
Before the Broncos and Niners reached an agreement on a deal, Broncos coach Sean Payton confirmed that a move
with Gregory was in the works, saying that moving on from him was “something we felt was just best for our team
right now timing-wise.”
