San Francisco 49ers confirmed on their official site and Twitter profile that they have released veteran linebacker Ahmad Brooks after nine years.
The #49ers have released LB Ahmad Brooks.
Details: https://t.co/HBSAOmGrHx pic.twitter.com/zfn5k2WUiF
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 25, 2017
The general manager of the 49ers, John Lynch expressed his gratitude to Brooks saying “We would like to thank Ahmad for his nine years of service and contributions to the 49ers. In that time, he played a significant role on some formidable defensive units that helped this team achieve great success.“
Brooks was entering the last year of his six-year, $40.4 million contract, and was due to take $6.1 million. San Francisco 49ers didn’t believe he was worth that much cap space, so they have decided to cut him and trust Eli Harold with the SAM outside linebacker role. It is important to note that 49ers looked to trade Brooks first, but didn’t manage to find a trade partner. Although he didn’t produce many fireworks, Brooks was a dependable player who registered 439 tackles, 51.5 sacks, and three interceptions during his time at 49ers. The figure of 51.5 sacks puts him on the 3rd place in 49ers history. Last season he had 53 tackles and six sacks. His career as a 49er wasn’t without issues. In 2014 he was benched twice for arguing with the coaching staff. His time spent at the team also saw him showing a lack of discipline and having off-field issues. Although 49ers decided to move on, at age 33, Brooks will still be a good addition to many teams. He will help as a pass rusher but probably won’t make the same amount of money as he would at San Francisco 49ers.
Ahmad Brooks was drafted in the 3rd round of NFL Supplement Draft in 2006 by Cincinnati Bengals. After the team waived him in 2008, he joined the San Francisco 49ers. He went to Pro Bowl in 2013, while being named in All-Pro Second Team in 2012 and 2013.
