SANTA CLARA – The 49ers have been largely inert throughout free company this offseason, selecting as an alternative to deal with contract extensions with franchise cornerstones Brock Purdy, Fred Warner and George Kittle, whereas on the identical time shedding wage to get youthful following a 6-11 season.
It wasn’t regarded upon favorably by a fan base hoping for some star energy. There was one exception, and it was a giant one in a bodily sense. Luke Farrell will not be large when it comes to identify recognition, however he performs large.
Virtually misplaced within the whirlwind opening days of free company was the workforce shortly reaching an settlement with tight finish Luke Farrell. Whereas throwing others overboard – permitting their very own free brokers to depart, in addition to releasing some below contract – the 49ers prolonged a hand to Farrell, a 27-year-old four-year veteran with Jacksonville who acquired a three-year contract with $11 million assured and a most worth of $20.25 million.
Tight finish Luke Farrell was the primary and one of many few gamers the 49ers snapped up when free company started in 2025. Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group
It was a fairly good chunk of change for a workforce seeking to cut back payroll, particularly with the presence of a Corridor of Fame candidate in Kittle already on the roster and nonetheless in his prime.
“I’ve heard from guys that have been there,” Farrell stated of former Jaguars teammates who as soon as performed for the 49ers. “I like how they operate and the opportunity to play in this offense with these coaches and players.”
Since he arrived in 2017, the 12 months Kittle was drafted, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has cycled via eight extra tight ends – Garrett Celek, Logan Paulsen, Ross Dwelley (he left and got here again final 12 months), Levine Toilolo, Jordan Reed, Tyler Kroft, Eric Saubert and Brayden Williams.
None acquired the form of monetary compensation afforded to Farrell.
“I think having a No. 2 tight end in the NFL is huge,” Shanahan stated. “Usually, there’s one guy who excels in the pass game and one guy who excels in the run game.”
Farrell, at 6-foot-5, 250 kilos, has simply 36 profession receptions and has but to attain his first NFL landing. However he’s a individuals mover who operates virtually as an additional sort out. Reasonably than rely solely on angles and leverage, Farrell can really transfer the mountains that face him as edge setters or beasts approaching stunts from the inside.
Tight finish Luke Farrell, proper, works with Isaac Alarcon throughout a 49ers blocking drill on the membership facility in Santa Clara. Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group
“Luke, his (game) tape was very, very impressive,” offensive line coach and run sport coordinator Chris Foerster stated. “He literally has an impact on defensive ends. When he blocks or hits one, there’s movement. You see things with him that you don’t see in a lot of tight ends.”
The presence of Farrell, a fifth-round select of Ohio State in 2021, will put Kittle within the passing sport extra typically as a receiver, both flexed or put in movement, whereas he takes care of a giant share of the soiled work alongside the road of scrimmage.
“I take a lot of pride in it,” Farrell stated. “Since I was in college, I’ve just really bought into the team mindset and whatever I can do to help propel the offense forward and the team forward and that’s what my role has been. Also, all I can do on special teams. It’s allowed me to have the career I’ve had so far, and I have a lot of gratitude for it.”
The eye paid to Kittle might lead to Farrell’s first NFL landing in addition to elevated alternatives for Brock Purdy for a dependable set of palms as a receiver.
“He’s got unexplored talent in the passing game,” tight ends coach Brian Fleury stated.
Which is okay by Farrell.
“I’m always in the mindset of wherever they need me, I’m going to be there,” Farrell stated. “I’m going to be the place I’m purported to be, after I’m purported to be there, and that’s as a receiver, too.
Kittle, like Farrell, was a fifth-round draft decide. He was additionally from a Large Ten faculty, Iowa, and has morphed from unassuming rookie with close-cropped hair to big-time, big-haired persona on a nationwide scale.
Rashod Berry #13 of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Luke Farrell #89 of the Ohio State Buckeyes have fun after a landing in the course of the first half within the Rose Bowl Sport introduced by Northwestern Mutual on the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Picture by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Pictures)
Farrell carries with him the identical mentality he had at Ohio State, the place he was a participant merely attempting to make a roster on the outset. He didn’t see himself as an NFL participant. A wonderful pupil, Farrell’s long-term objective for athletics was staying concerned as a bodily therapist.
“I was a developmental guy at Ohio State, redshirted, and really didn’t get any significant time until my third year,” Farrell stated. “Then it was like, `OK, this is a real possibility.’ Once it became possible, I just wanted to keep doing what I was doing and perform the role they wanted me in. When you have success on a team like that, you’re going to get the exposure.”
Farrell cuts a powerful determine among the many place group, and Kittle is worked up to see what he brings when it comes to physicality.
“I like that he’s a big dude. I’m a huge fan of that,” Kittle stated. “He’s got great tape. He’s excited to be here, and I’m excited to get to work with him, too. He’s an experienced guy and has played a lot of reps, so it’s not like you’re teaching a rookie.”
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In the course of the offseason, Farrell attended Tight Finish College in Nashville, the yearly summit for the place hosted by Kittle and fellow Professional Bowl tight ends Travis Kelce and Greg Olsen. Earlier than that, Farrell’s connection to Kittle got here in a Zoom assembly in the course of the COVID pandemic.
“He was on because his dad had a connection with Kevin Wilson, who was our tight ends coach at the time. They both coached at Oklahoma,” Farrell stated. “George had some down time, and we have been simply finding out a variety of ball and have been attempting to choose up any expertise we might simply from movie examine.
“He hopped on with us, told us what he was about, gave us some of his experience and wisdom, having a handful of years in. (When I signed with the 49ers), he reached out right away and welcomed me.”
San Francisco 49ers tight finish Luke Farrell (89) makes a catch subsequent to Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) in the course of the first half of a preseason NFL soccer sport Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Picture/John Locher)
Farrell joins the 49ers, a Tremendous Bowl contender, from a Jaguars workforce that went 4-13 final season after twice going 9-8. In Farrell’s rookie 12 months, they have been 3-14, so he is aware of what a dropping locker room can really feel like.
The 49ers, Farrell believes, don’t have the vibe of a workforce that went 6-11 a 12 months in the past.
“If you didn’t know what happened last year, you’d have no idea of their record,” Farrell stated. “That’s a testament to the people in the building, and their resiliency and how professional they are. You don’t dwell on the past when you’re looking forward to the season.”
