San Francisco 49ers, Tarell Brown have not been in talks
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tarell Brown (25) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco 49ers were able to re-sign star wide receiver Anquan Boldin, but they still have two important impending free agents to worry about. Defensive backs Donte Whitner and Tarell Brown are two of the best free agents on the open market, and both were star players for the 49ers on defense. Whitner is a ferocious hitter who has vastly improved his coverage, while Brown is an underrated player who is a true No. 1 corner in this league.
CSN Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco recently spoke with Brown, and the 29-year-old Texas product stated that he and the 49ers have not been in talks regarding a new deal. Since the legal tampering period is just two days away, it looks like the Niners will simply allow Brown to test his value on the open market before approaching him. With Carlos Rogers a likely cap casualty, the 49ers need to do whatever they feasibly can to keep their top corner around. They have other talented guys like locked-up CB Tramaine Brock and the underrated Chris Culliver coming off of an injury, so it’s possible that the 49ers could decide that Brown is too expensive (he shouldn’t be, though) and instead try to draft someone.
Brown recorded 32 tackles and 11 passes defended in 13 games last season, but he had more passes defended in 2011 and 2012 (he was especially impressive in ’12). I still think Brown ends up re-signing with the 49ers, but it will be interesting to see how many suitors he has on the open market. It was reported yesterday by CBS Sports’s Jason La Canfora that the 49ers were “making a push” to keep Brown, so we’ll see what happens in the next five days before free agency opens on the 11th.