Larry

Grant

The original-round tender comes with a salary of approximately $1.26 million. The other option was a second-round tender at $1.92 million. In saving $700,000, the Niners stand a good chance to lose Grant for the price of just a seventh-round pick. He more than held his own as a fill-in for Patrick Willis in December.

Grant drew surprisingly little interest after being tendered at the original-round (in his case, seventh) level. Grant acquitted himself well as a starter last December when Patrick Willis missed three games with a hamstring injury, and finished 2011 with 39 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

Grant has been in the NFL for four years, but only three of them were “accrued” because he was on the Rams’ 53-man roster for fewer than six games as a rookie in 2008. Grant flashed promise in spot starts for Patrick Willis down the 2011 stretch. He may draw some interest if the Niners give him an “original pick” tender. Grant was St. Louis’ seventh-round pick in 2008.

The Seahawks lack quality depth behind David Hawthorne, Leroy Hill, and K.J. Wright, and both Hill and Hawthorne are free agents. Grant, a seventh-round pick by the 49ers in 2008, spent his first three seasons as a reserve linebacker in St. Louis. He rejoined San Francisco this season on a one-year deal.

Others believed to have turned down an offer are RG Adam Snyder, TE Delanie Walker, ILB Larry Grant, and S C.J. Spillman. Brooks has expressed an interest in staying with the 49ers long-term, but he apparently wasn’t thrilled with the team’s offer.

Grant turned in an impressive three-game cameo in place of an injured Patrick Willis in 2011, but surprisingly played just 21 snaps on defense in 2012. An unrestricted free agent, Grant could have trouble finding a starting job.

It’s his first known visit this offseason. Grant was a non-factor with the 49ers last season and surprisingly played just 21 snaps on defense. He isn’t going to get anything other than a one-year deal at this point, and could struggle to find a team that’s willing to take a chance on him.

Grant, 28, appeared in all 16 games for the 49ers last season, but played just 21 defensive snaps as a backup to Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman. He’d fill a special teams and occasional nickel linebacker role if signed by the Pats.

This may explain Grant’s cold free-agent market, although he wasn’t expected to have a robust one in the first place. The 28-year-old is a fine special teams player and quality backup. Grant recently visited the Chiefs and Patriots, but he won’t be eligible to return until Week 5.

Grant was signed in Week 8 and appeared in two games on special teams. The Bears signed DE Cheta Ozougwi from the practice squad to take his spot on the active roster.