Brock Purdy’s 49ers roll the dice with signing of 3x Pro Bowler’s brother on prove-it deal

The San Francisco 49ers know what they’re walking into when the 2025 NFL season kicks off. Brock Purdy is entering the first year of the monstrous contract he signed in the offseason and expectations are only tailored to such a lucrative deal.

As the season gets underway, the Niners can sense the pressure building in San Fran—and in Santa Clara, where they play their home games. A huge question mark hangs over San Francisco’s wideout group.

When Purdy breaks the huddle, he looks around at his receivers and sees few familiar faces. Deebo Samuel is no longer in town, Brandon Aiyuk is recovering from a torn ligaments injury and isn’t particularly close to returning. Moreover, Jauan Jennings is dealing with an injury, and Ricky Pearsall has only recently been taken off the physically-unable to perform (PUP) list.

To call the scenario around Purdy’s weapons disheartening would be as big of an understatement as calling the Golden Gate a footbridge. Such times call for urgent measures—and that, the Niners have done. The new addition to the lineup is none other than the brother of Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions and Equanimeous St. Brown #19 of the Chicago Bears pose with each others jerseys after Detroit’s 31-30 win at Soldier Field on November 13, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

As reported by insider Adam Schefter, the 49ers have signed wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown to a one-year, $1.17 million contract.

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Fresh start

There aren’t many names available on the open market with a little over a month to go before the start of the NFL season. Thus, the Niners had no other choice but to test their luck with St. Brown, who is coming off turbulent seasons in the league.

Amon-Ra’s older brother has only started two games in the past two years, both of them with the Chicago Bears in the 2023 season. Since, he has had a rough stint with the New Orleans Saints, with whom he appeared in two games but registered no stats.

Tough break

Best-case scenario, Equanimeous St. Brown can blossom into San Francisco’s rotation of slot wideouts, mainly as a fourth or fifth option. He’d see the most action on special teams as a returner. However, fans in the Bay shouldn’t hold their breath for the new weapon to become a leader in a WR room that’s been heavily affected by the injury bug as of late.

The NFC West has only gotten stronger, with the Seattle Seahawks looking to become the alpha dogs. If the 49ers want to compete this upcoming season, their hopes will likely rest on the shoulders of Christian McCaffrey, as the receiving corps is being wrapped in cotton wool.