The 49ers and safety Tashaun Gipson are running it back for another year. Ari Merov of the 33rd Team reported Gipson agreed to a one-year deal to return to San Francisco for his 12th NFL season. The Athletic’s Matt Barrows later reported the two sides are nearing a deal, but nothing has been finalized.
Aaron Wilson of KPRC in Houston reported the one-year deal will be worth $2.9 million with $2.17 million guaranteed and a slew of incentives.
Gipson, 32, led the 49ers with five interceptions last season as part of an improbable journey to the starting free safety job. He joined San Francisco ahead of the preseason finale, but impressed in the handful of practices and one game he played and took over the starting FS job with Jimmie Ward sidelined by an injury.
The 49ers decided to keep Gipson at FS when Ward returned and played their former first-round pick at nickel corner instead. Gipson’s return doesn’t necessarily rule out Ward’s return in free agency, but it certainly doesn’t bode well for a reunion. Gipson, strong safety Talanoa Hufanga, and special teams ace George Odum will be the three safeties on the roster, so it’s not out of the question the team would add a starting-caliber player and utilize Gipson as a quality backup option.
Along with his five interceptions, Gipson also posted 61 tackles and eight pass breakups last season. He has 32 interceptions and 65 pass breakups for his career.
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