The San Francisco 49ers officially cut veteran defensive linemen Kevin Givens and Cameron Sample today, clearing space for two new one-year contracts. This move isn’t just a roster shuffle, it is San Francisco committing to a serious D-line shake-up right out of the gate in August.
Givens Out After Seven Seasons: A Surprising Cut
Let’s talk about Kevin Givens. This dude has been with the 49ers since 2019, coming in as an undrafted free agent and fighting his way onto the squad. Seventy career games for one franchise is no small feat, right? That shows serious dedication and consistency. At 29 years old, he had 8.0 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, and 18 quarterback hits over his tenure. He was a solid veteran presence, a guy who knew the system cold and could step up when needed. But last year, Givens only played five games and registered two total tackles. Still, cutting a player who’s been around for that long, especially one who earned his way onto the team the hard way, feels like a pretty strong statement from the front office. They’re clearly looking for a fresh injection of talent and are not afraid to move on from even familiar, long-serving faces. It’s a bold play to make this early in the season.
Sample’s Short Stint Ends as New Faces Arrive
Then there’s Cameron Sample, whose time in the Bay Area was seriously short-lived. He only joined the 49ers in April on a one-year deal after spending his first five seasons with the Bengals. What a whirlwind, right? He played 14 games in 2025, starting two, racking up 17 total tackles, 2.0 sacks, two tackles for loss, and six quarterback hits. Those aren’t bad numbers for a D-lineman at all! To bring him in just a few months ago on a one-year deal and then cut him so quickly tells you a lot about San Francisco’s urgency to get their defensive line exactly where they want it. They immediately replaced these guys by officially adding receiver KhaDarel Hodge and defensive lineman Ogbo Okoronkwo, both on one-year deals. It seems like the 49ers are really leaning into short-term commitments and evaluating players fast, trying to find the right mix on their roster as the regular season approaches.
So, what’s next for San Francisco? Their first preseason game is just around the corner next Thursday against Tennessee, and it’s happening right there in Santa Clara. These new D-line additions, especially Ogbo Okoronkwo, are gonna be under the microscope from day one. How these one-year guys fit in, and whether this D-line gamble pays off, could absolutely define their early season push. All eyes will be on that defensive front, no doubt.
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.
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