TE Jordan Reed signs with 49ers

UPDATE: The 49ers formally announced the signing of Jordan Reed on August 9th.

The San Francisco 49ers have added some depth behind tight end George Kittle. The team is signing free agent Jordan Reed to a one-year, incentive-laden deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Reed is an incredibly talented pass-catcher, but he has never played a 16-game season in his career dating back to his 2013 rookie season. His career high is 14 games, and he did not play at all last year after suffering a preseason concussion. He has had a history of concussions to go along with an assortment of other injuries.

Reed started his career in Washington in 2013, which was also Kyle Shanahan’s final season as the team’s offensive coordinator. He had 45 receptions for 499 yards and three touchdowns that season. His career-best performance was in 2015 when he caught 87 passes for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns.

He joins a 49ers depth chart that is led by arguably the best tight end in the game. George Kittle was an All Pro last year and is attempting to work out a mega-extension. The Covid-19 pandemic and potential salary cap fluctuations is making that a little more difficult. Kittle is not holding out however, so this is more a move for building some pass-catching depth. The depth chart includes Ross Dwelley, Daniel Helm, Charlie Woerner, and Chase Harrell.

Reed is not someone to draft at this point outside of the deepest of leagues, or leagues that require a second tight end in the lineup.