With the 49ers’ offseason headlined by big contracts and a huge trade up in the draft, the re-signing of cornerback Jason Verrett flew under the radar. The one-year deal could be one of the most impactful moves of the offseason though for San Francisco.
Verrett originally joined the 49ers in 2019 and got pushed into action in Week 5. He lasted only four snaps before a knee injury sidelined him for the season and tacked on another lost year in a career full of them for the 2014 first-round pick. Verrett came back to the Bay Area in 2020 and was again thrust into action because of injuries ahead of him on the depth chart. This time though he stayed healthy and started 13 games, intercepted two passes, and looked like the team’s best cornerback.
He picked up in training camp where he left off last season and brings a much-needed consistency to the secondary. Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans told reporters after Saturday’s practice how Verrett’s presence has an impact on and off the field.
“Yeah, J.V. has done a great job of is being consistent. That’s one thing I always highlight to the guys,” Ryans said. “Mainly every, it feels like every meeting I have with the defensive group, I’m highlighting J.V. and just showing his consistency and just showing the young guys how it looks to be a true pro and J.V. is that example for the guys in our room. And he brings it every day. He competes every day and his work ethic is just unmatched. So, just happy to have him, happy to have him in a really good place where he’s not worried about the history of the injuries or anything like that. He’s playing confident, he’s playing fast, he’s playing physical and it’s exactly what I like to see.”
Verrett, 30, is one of the most senior members of the cornerback room. K’Waun Williams also entered the league in 2014. After that it’s a slew of young, unproven players and recently-signed journeyman B.W. Webb (31).
If Verrett’s presence can help elevate fellow starter Emmanuel Moseley, or rookies Ambry Thomas and Deommodore Lenoir, it could help the 49ers’ thin secondary become one of the strengths of their roster.
Ryans also broke down how Verrett getting another year with his teammates Williams and free safety Jimmie Ward makes the secondary better as a whole.
“You can tell they’re tight on the field. So you can tell that just translates off the field,” Ryans said. “Those guys are always talking. They’re always hanging out together. So you can tell that camaraderie off the field. It just pours over onto the field and allows them, they know what to expect from each other. They have ease of communication between each other. So when they get in situations where they have to communicate it’s easy, translates quickly and those guys are able to play faster just because of their tightness and their bond.”
The 49ers desperately need their secondary to stay healthy and play well this year. Verrett’s presence gives them a higher ceiling than they would’ve had without him, and if that group has a strong year, then re-signing the veteran could become the move of the offseason for the 49ers’ front office.