49ers get off to busy start in free agency
AP FILE PHOTO
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers opened the new league year Wednesday by acquiring the defensive playmaker the team was sorely lacking in edge rusher Dee Ford.
The 49ers are sending a 2020 second-round pick to Kansas City for Ford and are giving him a five-year, $87.5 million contract, according to his agent.
San Francisco also agreed to a two-year deal with running back Tevin Coleman to add depth in the backfield, according to a person familiar with the deal who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn’t been announced. ESPN reported that deal would be worth $10 million.
The 49ers also agreed to bring back defensive back Jimmie Ward on a one-year contract worth up to $5 million, a person familiar with the deal said on condition of anonymity because the signing hadn’t been announced.
San Francisco also announced a four-year deal the team had agreed to earlier in the week with linebacker Kwon Alexander worth $54 million.
The Chiefs had placed the franchise tag on Ford after he had a career-high 13 sacks last season and led the NFL with seven forced fumbles. But they had questions about how he’d fit in new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s defense and decided to trade him instead of paying him $15.4 million for this season.
Ford was picked in the first round by Kansas City in 2014 but went through some growing pains as he adapted to life in the NFL and has an injury history that is cause for concern. He had 17 1/2 sacks his first four seasons and was limited to just six games in 2017 because
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