There will be at least one minor change coming to the San Francisco 49ers receiving corps in the 2025 season.
2023 seventh-round pick WR Ronnie Bell had a tumultuous couple of years with the 49ers, and now he’s found a new change of scenery with another NFC contender.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Bell is signing with the Detroit Lions on a reserve/future contract after they were ousted from the postseason Saturday in a loss to the Washington Commanders.
Bell’s tenure with the 49ers got off to a strong start in the 2023 preseason when he posted a handful of electric plays with the ball in his hands. That success didn’t translate to the regular season though, and he never cracked the regular rotation in the 49ers’ receiving corps.
There were openings for him in 2024, but Bell struggled in training camp and the preseason. Then he had a huge drop in Week 3 during a brutal 49ers loss to the Los Angeles Rams, which may have been the final straw for the former late-round draft pick. He finished the year on the 49ers’ practice squad after they released him in late November.
With no contractual obligation to the 49ers, Bell opted to find a new club back in Michigan where he attended college. This may be best for Bell’s career since it’s clear he has talent, but the struggles with San Francisco might have compounded to the point that he was never going to get right as a pro there.
In two seasons Bell played in 26 games for the 49ers. He caught eight of his 19 targets for 90 yards and three touchdowns.