49ers create new special teams problem with latest release
The San Francisco 49ers have created another issue with their roster as their offseason purge continues.
They're planning to release 30-year-old long snapper Taybor Pepper, opening a starting spot on a special teams unit that struggled badly last season. NBC Sports Bay Area's Jennifer first reported the news, and Pepper confirmed it through a post on Twitter.
It's not immediately clear why San Francisco released a long snapper who never missed a game across four-plus seasons with the 49ers. Pepper turns 31 before the season and was entering the final year of a three-year contract he signed ahead of the 2023 campaign. Releasing him will keep $150,002 of dead cap on the 49ers' books. They'll save $1,280,000 this year, but it's likely that savings will be wiped out by whichever long snapper they sign to fill the new vacancy.
Perhaps Pepper was doing something that led to Jake Moody's struggles last season. Maybe it was his scuffle with wide receiver Deebo Samuel during the 49ers' win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season that made it untenable to keep him around. There's a chance it was something entirely unrelated to on-field performance.
What's clear is it was not because of his age. Chan also reported the 49ers have interest in 39-year-old former Houston Texans long snapper Jon Weeks. He's been in the NFL for 15 seasons and hasn't missed a game. He's ninth among active players in games played.
The 49ers' special teams were a major issue last season and Pepper appeared to be a steady presence on that unit. Now they're moving on and creating more question marks for their roster and for a special teams group that desperately needs to improve in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers release long snapper Taybor Pepper after five seasons
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