49ers to sign Pro Bowl special teamer and linebacker to $5.3 million contract

The San Francisco 49ers have some holes on the roster to still address after their big additions of Osa Odighizuwa and Mike Evans.

While the team needs more pass rusher help, they also need to make sure their special teams, which gave up the opening kickoff return touchdown in the NFC Divisional round, can be at its best.

That's why, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the 49ers are re-signing Pro Bowl special teamer and linebacker Luke Gifford to a two-year, $5.3 million contract.

49ers re-sign Pro Bowler Luke Gifford

"The 49ers are re-signing Pro Bowl special teamer Luke Gifford to a two-year, $5.3 million contract, sources tell The Insiders," Pelissero reports.

Gifford is a 30-year-old veteran who has played in the NFL for seven seasons. Most of his time in the NFL has come with the Dallas Cowboys, but this past season, he made his 49ers debut. And it was a great one.

He played in all 17 games, and in those games, he had one pass defended, one fumble recovery, 35 total tackles, and, most importantly, a Pro Bowl nod for his role on special teams.

More: 49ers sign Mike Evans away from Buccaneers after 12 years

While he hasn't been a main contributor on the defensive side of the ball, Gifford has been a core special teamer in his career. He began being a big contributor on special teams in 2021 with the Cowboys, playing over 80% of the special teams snaps that season.

This past season with the 49ers, Gifford played 81% of the snaps on special teams, playing 352 snaps and earning a Pro Bowl nod as a special teamer.

While re-signing a special teamer to a $5.3 million contract might not seem like the most exciting addition, this is an important re-signing for the 49ers, as Gifford was a big contributor for San Francisco last year on special teams.

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