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The San Francisco 49ers are one of the most successful franchises in NFL history. They are tied for second in Super Bowl victories with five and are third in appearances with seven. This includes their appearance in 2020 where they came up just short against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The 49ers are among the top teams in the league because of their strong defense. Many players were drafted and some were signed as free agents. Years from now, some of the players on their current roster could turn out to be some of the best signings in San Francisco history. Until then, let's take a look at the other signings that are viewed as the best in team history.
5. Garrison Hearst, RB
Hearst signed with the Niners in 1997 and immediately ran for 1,000 yards. This was one of three seasons in a Niners uniform. Hearst was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1998 after rushing for 1,570 yards and seven touchdowns. Hearst was forced to put his career on hold for two years due to avascular necrosis.
Once he returned from injury, Hearst rushed for 1,206 yards and was named the Comeback Player of the Year in 2001. Hearst was released after the 2003 season when the Niners ran into some cap issues, but he remains as one of the better signings in team history.
4. Jeff Garcia, QB
Garcia's journey to the NFL was long and did not lack adversity. He spent eight seasons in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders and had to fight to remain on the team. The Niners took a chance on Garcia and he was given the daunting task of replacing Steve Young.
After a shaky first season, Garcia posted three straight Pro Bowl seasons from 2000-2002. In that time, he threw for at least 3,300 yards in each season and 84 total touchdowns. Garcia made the playoffs twice and went 1-2. His one win was a big time comeback against the New York Giants in 2002. Garcia did not post championships like young and Joe Montana, but he was a productive quarterback who bridged a gap for the Niners.
3. Ken Norton Jr., LB
Before signing with the Niners in 1994, Norton posted 279 tackles and one Pro Bowl appearance over his final two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys won the Super Bowl after both of those seasons. Norton Jr. became the first player ever to win three straight Super Bowls after helping the Niners win in his first season.
Norton Jr. made his mark on San Francisco immediately. After a Super Bowl in the 1994 season, Norton Jr. posted 96 tackles and three interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. He was named as a First Team All-Pro member and to the Pro Bowl. He would post 127 tackles in 1996 and solidify himself as one of the best linebackers in the league.
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Norton Jr. would retire after the 2000 season. He is currently third on the franchise's all-time list for solo tackles.
2. Deion Sanders, CB
Sanders spent the first five years of his career with the Atlanta Falcons. Sanders came to San Francisco in 1994 and played just one season with the Niners. Some might say that he is too high on this list given his extremely short tenure. But he posted one of the best defensive seasons in team history.
In 1994, Sanders played in 14 games and started 12. He finished the year with six interceptions and totaled a league-high 303 interception yards. Sanders took three of those picks back for touchdowns. After the season, he was named to the Pro Bowl as a First Team All-Pro member. He was also named the AP Defensive Player of the Year. If this was not enough, Sanders led a dominant defense that would help San Francisco win their fifth Super Bowl championship.
This may seem as a high ranking to the average fan, but Niners' fans cannot doubt the greatness of Sanders during that one year and would not trade it for anything.
1. Justin Smith, DE
Smith spent the first seven years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals and totaled 43.5 sacks. He is best known for his work in San Francisco beginning in 2008. Smith was selected to the Pro Bowl in five straight seasons from 2009-2013. In 2011, Smith was a First Team All-Pro member after racking up 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
In seven years with the Niners, Smith started 110 out of a possible 112 regular season games. He was a consistent star on the defensive line. Smith retired in 2014 and ranks seventh on the Niners' all-time sack list with 43.5.
