The San Francisco 49ers continue to make roster moves under head coach Kyle Shanahan. Last week, the NFC West franchise finalized a historic extension for star quarterback Brock Purdy, and now they’re shifting their focus to reshaping the rest of the roster for the 2025 NFL season.
In the past few hours, the 49ers announced the signing of veteran kicker Greg Joseph, which required clearing space on the 90-man roster. As a result, Shanahan and the San Francisco front office made the final decision to release one of Purdy’s veteran teammates.
The 49ers player who was released in the past few hours is none other than defensive lineman Alex Barrett, who was elevated to the active roster three times during the 2024 season, recording three tackles in those limited appearances on the field.
The unstable NFL career of Barrett
Although Barrett joined the 49ers in 2020, he spent more time inactive than available for coach Shanahan. In his first season, he recorded five tackles in seven games, but then spent the next three seasons on the practice squad. Additionally, his short career includes a brief stint with the Detroit Lions in 2017.
What’s new for the 49ers?
The Niners head into the 2025 season with renewed expectations after a disappointing 6–11 finish in 2024. Despite the setback, head coach Kyle Shanahan and star quarterback Brock Purdy have begun making moves to regain relevance in the conference.
The highlight of the offseason for San Francisco is a five-year, $265 million extension with a no-trade clause for Purdy. Additionally, they secured the return of linebacker Fred Warner on a three-year, $63 million deal. At the same time, Shanahan’s team moves forward from the departures of key players like Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga, signaling a new direction in their pursuit of a successful season.