The San Francisco 49ers have added much-needed depth at the defensive back position. Their most recent addition is defensive back Myles Hartsfield, who has agreed to a deal with the 49ers. Hartsfield was set to be a restricted free agent this season. This changed when he was never tendered by the Carolina Panthers and became an unrestricted free agent. Here is some information on the pending contract, and why it is a bigger deal for San Francisco than it may appear.
Former Carolina Panthers DB Myles Hartsfield – Taylor Banner/Carolinthe a Panthers
Myles Hartsfield Signs with 49ers
It was confirmed on Twitter by Mike Garafolo that the 49ers and Myles Hartsfield agreed to terms on a deal. It was later released by Matt Barrows on Twitter that it is a one years deal for the defensive back. According to Garafolo, the Carolina Panthers wanted to retain Hartsfield, but he chose to go to San Francisco instead. The details of the contract have not yet been released, but the assumption is that it will be under $2.6 million. which would have been the price for the Panthers to tender him as a restricted free agent.
Former Carolina Panthers CB Myles Hartsfield (38) – Eric Canha/USA TODAY Sports
Hartsfield was with Carolina for three years and played in a decent amount of games. In 2022, he only started in 10 of the games but he started in 15, according to Pro Football Reference. There can be great competition for the slot position between Hartsfield, Isaiah Oliver, and Sammy Womack. All three can play at the slot and will get their chance to compete for the starting job. This should bring out the best in each player, knowing there will be someone there to take the position from them at all times.
With the idea that the Panthers wanted Hartsfield to return to the team, there is one factor as to why he may have chosen San Francisco. There is a high possibility that Hartsfield chose the Niners due to their defensive coordinator, Steve Wilks. Wilks was the interim Head Coach in Carolina in 2022 and also has a history of coaching defensive backs.
While Wilks did not get the head coaching job in Carolina, it was reported that he was well-liked by the players. As the team needs depth in that position, it worked out for Hartsfield to head to the Bay Area. San Francisco losing Jimmie Ward during free agency created a need for someone who could play in the slot while also needing depth at safety. Hartsfield is a versatile player who can do both.
Former Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks – Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports
The signing of Hartsfield demonstrates one of the most intriguing parts of hiring Steve Wilks as the team’s defensive coordinator. This will be the first time in the John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan era that their defensive coordinator will have once been a defensive backs coach. The last two, Robert Saleh and DeMeco Ryans were both linebackers coaches. The safety and cornerback position has had a history of lack of solid depth, and perhaps that will change with Wilks.
The team clearly sees that they must add depth in that position, and Hartsfield is just the start. It has also been reported that the 49ers have shown interest in defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr. The team still has many roster spots to fill, with Hartsfield becoming the 60th man on the roster. The team will need to look for more veteran depth in multiple positions. As the 49ers are low on cap space, it will be primarily one-year deals.
While it may seem as though the signing of Hartsfield is not a big deal, it can actually be an indication of what kind of players the team is looking for during the remainder of the offseason.
