The 49ers were one of numerous NFL teams to show serious interest in pass rusher Bruce Irvin, a source told NBC Sports Bay Area on Wednesday morning.
Irvin, whom the Raiders released this week, signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday. The 49ers made a “hard run” at Irvin after he cleared waivers and was free to sign with any team, according to the source.
Irvin, 31, recorded three sacks through eight games with the Raiders this season. After he was waived Monday, approximately 10 mostly playoff-contending teams showed interest in signing Irvin, the source said.
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Irvin has 40 sacks in his seven-year NFL career, which began with four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Robert Saleh, the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, was on the Seahawks’ defensive coaching staff during the first two seasons of Irvin’s career.
The 49ers likely will have another chance to sign Irvin, who is scheduled for unrestricted free agency in March.
Any team could have claimed Irvin off waivers this week and picked up the terms of the contract he signed with the Raiders as a free agent in 2016. He was scheduled to earn $4 million for the rest of this season and $9.25 million in 2019.