Hargrave, who signed a four-year, $84 million deal with the 49ers just two offseasons ago, will now head back to free agency in a cost-cutting move for San Francisco. "It gives him an opportunity to go see what his market is," Lynch said of the move. "And it may include us."

The San Francisco 49ers need to reduce costs this offseason, and they're starting with one of their most accomplished defensive stars.

The San Francisco 49ers overhaul of their defensive line is set to include the release of perhaps their best defensive tackle. General manager John Lynch on Wednesday in his end-of-season press conference told reporters the 49ers are planning to release DT Javon Hargrave

With the San Francisco 49ers 2024 season over, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan took the podium one last time before driving headfirst into the most important offseason of their tenure.