© Jay Biggerstaff | 2016 Dec 18
While the entirety of the 49ers Faithful already be geared up for the unveiling of newly acquired pass-rusher Dee Ford, it seems that he may be more excited than the fans.
Ford, who’s trade to the 49ers can become official as early as Wednesday when the league’s new year begins, thinks that his deal could not have come at a better time.
According to Terez Paylor of Yahoo Sports, Ford seems ready and energized for this upcoming season. Upon hearing the news of his trade, Ford exclaimed “They don’t understand what they’re about to get — I needed this, bro.”
“I feel appreciated. Me knowing they believe in me … talking to the GM, talking to the owner, talking to the head coach … they couldn’t wait [for me to get there].”
The 27 year-old edge rusher looks to continue to build himself as a star in this league after last season in which he recorded career highs in tackles (55), tackles for loss (13), and sacks (13), earning himself his first Pro Bowl nod.
The 49ers decided to part ways with a 2020 second-round pick in order to secure the edge-rusher, and Ford’s new, restructured deal with the 49ers is a reported five-year, $87.5 million contract.
It is clear that one of the focuses for the 49ers going into this offseason was bolstering a defense that seemed, at times, incapable of stopping offenses from operating at will. With the addition of Ford as well as former Pro Bowl linebacker Kwon Alexander, the organization is making a concerted effort to be dominant on both sides of the ball, and getting this defense back on the right track.