The San Francisco 49ers made one of their quietest but smartest moves of the offseason. On February 14, 2026, the team handed the 49ers Austen Pleasants ERFA tender worth $1.075 million.
We found this was the club’s first official step of NFL free agency this cycle. The 49ers Austen Pleasants ERFA tender keeps a proven swing tackle in the building for another year.
Key Takeaways
- The 49ers Austen Pleasants ERFA tender is a one-year deal worth $1.075 million.
- As an exclusive rights free agent, Pleasants had no path to test the open market.
- He returns as the top swing tackle behind Trent Williams and Colton McKivitz.
Who Is Austen Pleasants?
We tracked his profile using data from NFL.com. Here is the snapshot of the offensive lineman returning to the San Francisco 49ers roster.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Name | Austen Pleasants |
| Position | OL (#62) |
| Height / Weight | 6’7″, 330 lbs |
| Age | 28 |
| College | Ohio |
| Role | Swing tackle |
Our analysis suggests his size and versatility are exactly why the team moved fast.
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What Does the ERFA Tender Actually Cost?
The ERFA tender 2026 figure is fixed by the league minimum for a player with his experience. We confirmed the terms below through reporting from Over the Cap.
| Contract Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tender type | Exclusive Rights Free Agent |
| Value | $1.075 million |
| Length | One year |
| Date offered | February 14, 2026 |
| Outcome | Returns to the 49ers |
If you have followed 49ers roster building, this low-cost lock-in fits the pattern perfectly.
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How Did His Snap Count Grow?
Industry insiders are noting his jump in playing time during the 2025 season. He earned his first career start in Week 18 when Trent Williams sat with a hamstring injury.
| Season | Games | Offensive Snaps |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-2025 | 5 | 77 |
| 2025 | 15 | 125 |
| Week 17 (2025) | 1 | 71 |
| Week 18 (2025) | 1 | 42 |
We believe those 125 offensive snaps proved his value as reliable OL depth.
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ERFA vs RFA: What Is the Difference?
This is where many fans get confused, so we broke it down clearly. An exclusive rights free agent has fewer options than a restricted free agent. The table below shows why the 49ers Austen Pleasants ERFA tender ended his free agency instantly.
| Feature | ERFA | RFA |
|---|---|---|
| Can sign offer sheet elsewhere | No | Yes |
| Team match required | Not needed | Yes |
| Outcome after tender | Stays with team | Can explore market |
| Typical cost | Very low | Higher tiers |
You can review the full league rules through the official NFL Operations site.
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What This Means for the 49ers Roster
We see this as a depth insurance move, not a flashy signing. Trent Williams remains locked in at left tackle, with Colton McKivitz holding the right side. Pleasants gives the San Francisco 49ers roster a trusted backup at both tackle spots.
Why the move matters:
- Keeps a swing tackle who already started an NFL game.
- Costs the team only $1.075 million against the cap.
- Protects the line if Williams misses time again.
Our team observed that smart clubs rarely let this kind of quiet value walk away.
The 49ers Austen Pleasants ERFA tender shows how depth wins seasons in NFL free agency. For more team updates, we recommend the coverage at ESPN.
Our Final Read
We rate this a low-risk, high-sense decision by San Francisco. The 49ers Austen Pleasants ERFA tender locks in a growing offensive lineman for one more year. He returns healthy, hungry, and ready to protect the quarterback when called upon.
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