Apparently, the San Francisco 49ers showed some interest in signing Delanie Walker and Jordan Reed this offseason.
In search of a backup tight end for George Kittle, general manager John Lynch explored the free agent market and took a look at Walker and Reed. According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, the 49ers had “soft talks” with Walker and had some “interest” in Reed.
According to sources, they had “soft talks” about free agent and former 49er Delanie Walker during the spring. They’ve shown a similar level of interest in former Washington tight end Jordan Reed, who played a season under Kyle Shanahan with Washington.
Both Delanie Walker and Jordan Reed would make for solid backup options.
Walker made a Pro Bowl at age 33 with the Tennessee Titans and has amassed 5,888 yards and 36 touchdowns in his career. Reed is five years younger than Walker and last played in the NFL in 2018 with the Washington Football Team, having produced 3,371 yards and 24 touchdowns in his career.
Before finding a backup though, the 49ers will have to secure Kittle first with a contract extension.
Certainly, Kittle deserves to be the highest-paid tight end in the NFL, as he set the all-time tight end receiving record in 2018 with a striking 1,377 yards. Kittle’s combination of size and speed – as well as an incredible ability to produce yards after the catch – make him an elite option for 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Still, according to Barrows’s article, Lynch thinks Kittle’s contract details could be “tricky because of, you know, the position that he plays and things of that nature.”
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