The San Francisco 49ers pulled off some serious roster gymnastics on Monday, announcing they signed defensive lineman Victor Dimukeje and offensive lineman Nick Zakelj to one-year deals. Now, hearing about rival teams making moves isn’t usually earth-shattering news, but this one has a kicker: one of these guys was literally shown the door by them just seven days ago! It raises some eyebrows, even for us Hawks fans watching from up here in the Emerald City.
Wait, They Cut Him and Then Signed Him Back? What’s the Deal, Zakelj?
Let’s zoom in on Nick Zakelj because this is the real head-scratcher. The 49ers actually drafted this dude in the sixth round back in 2022. He’s been around, played in 29 games over four seasons with two starts, even spent time on their practice squad last year, 2025, and got into three games. So, he’s not some random off-the-street guy. But then, on August 10, they cut him. Poof, gone. And now, barely a week later, he’s back on a one-year deal. What gives? Did they try out a bunch of other linemen and just decide Zakelj was the “best” of the bunch they could get right now? It screams of desperation for offensive line depth, or maybe a bit of panic. For a team that always talks about its strong foundations, this kind of quick-flip action makes you wonder how solid things really are upfront. Are they truly comfortable with their O-line if this is the kind of rapid re-shuffle they’re doing?
Dimukeje Added as Roster Spots Remain Fluid
Then there’s Victor Dimukeje, a 26-year-old defensive lineman with some miles on him. He came into the league as a sixth-round pick for the Cardinals in 2021, spent four seasons down in Arizona, and then bounced to the Giants last offseason. His career stats tell you he’s a depth guy, not a game-wrecker: 60 games played with eight starts, 51 tackles, four sacks, two passes defensed, and two forced fumbles. Last year, 2025, he only got into five games with the Giants and recorded one tackle and one pass defensed. So, the 49ers are bringing in a known quantity for depth, a guy who’s familiar with the division but isn’t going to turn heads. To make room for both Zakelj and Dimukeje, the 49ers released running back Khalil Herbert and offensive lineman Kion Smith. Herbert had signed only on August 2, and Smith on August 6. Imagine signing with a team and being cut less than two weeks later! These aren’t minor tweaks, these are quick-trigger changes that show how much uncertainty they might have at certain positions early in the season. Every team is looking for the right mix, but this level of churn definitely gets your attention.
Watching our rivals make these kinds of moves is always interesting, especially when it hints at underlying issues. It’s a stark reminder that even the teams we love to beat are constantly battling for that perfect roster fit. We saw our own Seattle Seahawks face a tough challenge recently, with the Dallas Cowboys taking a 17-7 victory. That score stings, and it’s a clear signal that there’s work ahead for our boys. Every single game matters, every single roster decision can swing a season. You know we’ll be locked in, watching our Seahawks fight hard to get those Ws. Go Hawks!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
Leave a Reply