Darnell Dockett didn't have to wait very long on the open market before signing with the San Francisco 49ers. His agent Drew Rosenhaus announced the news Thursday morning on Twitter.
49ers sign DT Darnell Dockett
The three-time Pro Bowler is staying in the NFC West.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The 49ers and Dockett agreed on a two-year deal worth $7.5 million with $2 million in guaranteed money. He’ll make $4 million for the 2015 season.
Dockett, 33, spent the first 11 seasons of his career in Arizona after he was selected by the Cardinals in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He earned Pro Bowl nods in 2007, 2009 and 2010, but sat out the entire 2014 season after suffering an ACL tear in an August practice and was released by the team at the end of February to avoid a nearly $10 million hit against the salary cap.
NFL Free Agency
Still in the NFC West, Dockett will now be a big part of a 49ers defense looking to bounce back from a subpar 2014. After finishing in the top three in scoring defense for three straight seasons, San Francisco finished No. 10 in the category in 2014, and allowed the sixth-most passing touchdowns.
The rest of the NFC West showed interest in Dockett too, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, although it was always the 49ers and Cardinals with the most legitimate chance at signing the defensive tackle.
In Dockett’s first 10 seasons with the Cardinals he started 156 of a possible 160 games and racked up 40.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and four interceptions.
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