RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesThe San Francisco 49ers haven't shied away from bringing back familiar faces when building out the team's roster depth in 2026.
Following high-profile reunions with wideout Deebo Samuel and linebacker Dre Greenlaw , general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have proven that previous experience in the team's system carries serious weight.
With training camp unfolding and roster spots up for grabs, here are eight other former 49ers who could be prime candidates for a Bay Area reunion in 2026.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo
Jimmy Garoppolo remains one of the most successful quarterbacks of San Francisco's modern era, compiling an 81-45 career record with 3,803 passing yards and 20 touchdowns during his signature 2021 campaign. Following two seasons as Matthew Stafford's backup with the Los Angeles Rams, Garoppolo reportedly contemplated retirement this offseason but remains open to extending his career . If the 49ers elect to trade Mac Jones this offseason, Garoppolo would represent a plug-and-play backup option for Brock Purdy over raw developmental prospects Kurtis Rourke and Tanner Martinez.
QB Joshua Dobbs
Joshua Dobbs is another veteran quarterback name to watch if the 49ers trade Jones. He spent the 2024 season in Santa Clara as the team’s third-string quarterback before joining the New England Patriots in 2025 as a veteran backup. Dobbs already understands the timing, footwork, and pre-snap terminology required to execute Shanahan's complex scheme.
RB Raheem Mostert
Raheem Mostert's explosive track speed anchored Shanahan’s ground attack from 2016 to 2021, highlighted by his legendary 220-yard, four-touchdown performance in the 2019 NFC Championship Game. But that was six years ago. Now at age 34, Mostert is a free agent after spending the 2025 season with the Las Vegas Raiders. With depth running backs Jordan James and Isaac Guerendo currently battling early-camp bumps behind Christian McCaffrey, bringing back Mostert would provide a veteran presence alongside rookie Kaelon Black.
RB Jeff Wilson Jr.
Similar to Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr. is an older veteran with deep ties to San Francisco. He carved out a physical identity in the Bay Area from 2018 to 2022, rushing for 1,733 yards and 15 touchdowns as the team’s primary goal-line bruiser. Wilson spent part of the 2025 season in Miami's backfield rotation before hitting the open market. He'll be 31 in November.
S Tashaun Gipson
Tashaun Gipson delivered veteran leadership across 33 consecutive starts for the 49ers from 2022 to 2024, recording 127 tackles and six interceptions. The 49ers' safety depth is sound, but perhaps Raheem Morris would want a 36-year-old veteran to mentor for young defensive backs Ji'Ayir Brown and Malik Mustapha.
EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos
Yetur Gross-Matos spent the last two seasons in the Bay Area, though injuries limited his impact in 2025 to just eight tackles and 13 quarterback pressures across eight games. Despite those physical setbacks would provide depth at an edge rusher unit that is dealing with several injuries. Re-signing the former second-round pick would provide San Francisco with a low-risk, plug-and-play rotational pass rusher behind starter Nick Bosa and rookie Mykel Williams, both of whom are recovering from ACL tears.
OL Daniel Brunskill
Daniel Brunskill established himself as a fan-favorite super-utility lineman during his original four-year run in San Francisco, appearing in 61 games and making 42 starts across all five offensive line positions. After serving as an interior swing-man and jumbo blocker for the Miami Dolphins in 2025, Brunskill would offer instant system versatility for a 49ers offensive line that could always use support. Bringing him back into the fold would instantly fortify the interior depth chart behind young starters like Dominick Puni.
WR Brandon Aiyuk
This is the least likely reunion given Brandon Aiyuk's offseason vendetta against Lynch, Shanahan and the 49ers organization as a whole. The friction led to his placement on the team's reserve/left squad list heading into 2026 despite being under contract, and no one believes Aiyuk will actually rejoin the 49ers. A true reunion would require both sides to reconcile a high-profile fracture, making this by far the most improbable scenario on the list—though stranger turnarounds have occurred in professional sports.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Potential 49ers reunions to watch following return of 2 fan favorites
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