Getty Image / Michael Owens
The San Francisco 49ers have been the best team in the NFL in the early going so far. And, on Friday afternoon, they acquired even more talent, trading for Denver Broncos’ disgruntled pass-rusher Randy Gregory.
It had been reported earlier in the week that Gregory was going to be released by the Broncos per his request, but the two teams were willing to work out a trade.
Denver is sending Randy Gregory and a 2024 seventh-round pick to San Francisco for a 2024 sixth-round pick. https://t.co/dt25ZPlFQe
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 6, 2023
The 31-year-old Nebraska alum has struggled to stay on the field during much of his career. Some of that has been due to injuries, but also due to a myriad of off-the-field issues. Those issues cost him 14 games in 2016 and all of 2017 and 2019.
But, when he’s on the field, the former Dallas Cowboy has been a dominant pass-rushing force. Few players in the league can speed rush like Gregory can.
That makes Randy Gregory a great fit for the San Francisco 49ers. Reigning defensive player of the year Nick Bosa holds down the other edge spot. But, what makes this a truly great fit is that the team signed an elite interior pass rusher in Javon Hargrave to pair with another pretty good one in Arik Armstead. Randy Gregory and Nick Bosa teaming up to collapse the pocket and force quarterbacks to step up into considerable push by Armstead and Gregory is a recipe for success.
That is, if Randy Gregory plays well. Since signing a $70 million deal with the Broncos prior to last season, he’s only played in ten games and has three sacks. But, we’ve seen plenty of players rejuvenated by a Super Bowl push, and that’s what the 49ers are betting on with this trade for Randy Gregory.