The San Francisco 49ers bolstered their best NFL defense in a season as they are expected to sign former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to a long-term deal.
All deals won’t be processed until March 15, the new league year, but Hargrave will join San Francisco on a four-year, $84 million contract with $40 million guaranteed at signing, according to ESPN.
The 30-year-old was one of the key reasons the Eagles led the NFL in total sacks last season, as he himself scored a career-high 11. It’s the first season Hargrave has had double-digit sacks after spending six seasons earlier in the NFL.
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Javon Hargrave of the Eagles against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field on October 30, 2022 in Philadelphia. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Hargrave also totaled 60 tackles, a forced fumble and 10 tackles for loss en route to helping the Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII.
His performance has been charging with a front seven in San Francisco that was already formidable before he got there. Arik Armstead and Samson Ebukam wreaked havoc on defense, as did Javon Kinlaw, Nick Bosa and more.
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With the linebacking corps of Dre Greenlaw, Fred Warner and Azeez Al-Shaair still in place, the 49ers hope to return to being one of the best defenses in the league in 2023.
For the Eagles, Hargrave’s departure means Jordan Davis, the 13th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has a clear opportunity to compete for a top-four starting job.
Javon Hargrave of the Eagles runs to the pin against Ben Bredeson of the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on January 8, 2023 in Philadelphia. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Fletcher Cox and Linval Joseph have more experience, but Davis’ size and brute force have fans clamoring to see him on the field more.
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Hargrave has been a solid contributor in the trenches since breaking into the league with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016.
The third-round pick has earned a starting role in every season he’s played and has amassed 329 career tackles, 37.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and 46 tackles for loss in 111 games. He was also a Pro Bowler in 2021.
Javon Hargrave of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after a play against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Hargrave will look to pick up where he left off in Philadelphia on the West Coast.