Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers turn to another football league for potential fix to lingering roster issue

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Nicholas McGee | Last updated 4/30/24

The San Francisco 49ers did not take a tight end in the 2024 NFL Draft, but they have given signals this offseason that they are not happy with their depth at the position behind All-Pro George Kittle.

San Francisco attempted to sign Brock Wright away from the Detroit Lions as a restricted free agent, signing him to a three-year, $12 million offer sheet. The Lions matched it to end the Niners' hopes. Soon after, the 49ers signed a veteran tight end to the roster in Eric Saubert.

After the draft, the 49ers brought in Furman tight end Mason Pline as an undrafted free agent, but they may not be done adding at the position.

The Arena Football League's Nashville Kats announced on Tuesday that tight end Cade Brewer had been "called up" by the 49ers. Their post on X (formerly Twitter) did not specify whether the Niners had signed him to a contract or whether he had simply received an invite to San Francisco's rookie minicamp, which takes place next week.

The latter scenario seems more likely, giving the 49ers a look at the 25-year-old Brewer, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent out of Texas in 2022 but failed to make the team.

Join us in celebrating Cade Brewer being called up to the San Francisco 49ers! Best of luck, Cade—we're all rooting for you! pic.twitter.com/fvubvvw5l9
— Nashville Kats (@NashvilleKatsFB) April 30, 2024

Brewer had 59 receptions for 611 yards and eight touchdowns during his collegiate career with the Longhorns.

Still only 25, Brewer will hope to convince the Niners he is worthy of at least an offseason roster spot. It would seem like a longshot that Brewer could make the team at this stage, but the 49ers are showing they are open to any avenue to improve the tight end position.

The 49ers lost blocking tight end Charlie Woerner to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. They drafted Cameron Latu in the third round and Brayden Willis in the seventh round last year, however, Latu did not play owing to a knee injury and Willis featured only sparingly and predominantly on special teams.

Asked in a post-draft press conference whether Latu is the favorite to be TE2, head coach Kyle Shanahan quickly dismissed that notion while giving a not so subtle hint he is unhappy with the former Alabama tight end. Shanahan's answer indicated Latu has not yet shown up for the 49ers' offseason program, which at this stage is voluntary.

There appears to be an open competition for the second tight end role behind Kittle. It remains to be seen, though, whether Brewer can come out of the football wilderness to force his way in.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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