Last season’s top-ranked 49ers defense is starting to get dismantled in free agency.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday evening that defensive end Samson Ebukam will sign a three-year, $27 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Shortly afterwards, Jordan Schultz of The Score reported that defensive end Charles Omenihu agreed to a two-year, $20 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. Deals can be officially announced once the league year begins on Wednesday at 1 p.m. PT.
Ebukam, 27, secured a nice payday after racking up a career-high five sacks this past season. Omenihu also set a career high in sacks with 4.5 as they split time opposite Nick Bosa.
Omenihu was arrested the week of the NFC Championship on suspicion of domestic violence but still played against the Eagles that weekend.
While the 49ers have tried to free up cap room by restructuring contracts with cornerback Mooney Ward and linebacker Fred Warner, it appears San Francisco can’t keep all its talent at its market price.
Ebukam joins former 49ers defensive tackle DeForest Bucker on the Colts’ d-line, while Omenihu will join the reigning champs. They’ll be leaving a unit that has also seen departures from defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, defensive back Jimmie Ward, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, cornerback Emmanuel Moseley and defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway.
The 49ers have beefed up the interior of the line with addition of prized defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and also retained Kevin Givens, but Ebukam and Omenihu were disruptive forces last year and could set the edge.
Their departures will open up more playing time for Drake Jackson, who was picked in the second round of last year’s NFL Draft out of USC and showed flashes of playmaking ability as a rookie.
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