The 49ers Had No Trouble Letting This Free Agent Walk

A Painful Offseason for San Francisco

The San Francisco 49ers have endured a tough free agency period, losing key players who played vital roles in their recent success. Losing Dre Greenlaw and Charvarius Ward stings the most—both were beloved defensive standouts whose presence on the field will be hard to replace.

Talanoa Hufanga’s departure also raises some eyebrows, though the 49ers were unlikely to match the deal he secured. However, despite these losses, there was one player San Francisco had absolutely no hesitation in letting walk away.

Aaron Banks Was the Easiest Decision

Among all the departing free agents, Aaron Banks was by far the easiest for the 49ers to move on from. Despite being a starter at left guard since 2022, Banks never lived up to expectations as a dominant force on the offensive line.

The Green Bay Packers, however, saw something different. They handed Banks a massive four-year, $77 million contract with $27 million guaranteed—a deal that left many around the league stunned. For a player who struggled in 2024 and ended the season with an MCL injury, that kind of payday seemed like an overpayment.

A Contract the 49ers Would Never Match

Had Banks been coming off a strong 2023 campaign and remained fully healthy, maybe his price tag would have been justifiable. But after an inconsistent 2024 season, there was no way San Francisco would—or should—have even come close to matching Green Bay’s offer.

The 49ers have long valued financial flexibility, especially along the offensive line, where guards are considered one of the most replaceable positions. They already have potential internal replacements, including Ben Bartch, who played well in Banks’ absence before suffering an injury himself.

No Regrets Moving Forward

San Francisco will undoubtedly feel the losses of Greenlaw and Ward, but when it comes to Banks, they won’t be looking back. The team’s offensive line remains an area of concern, but paying top dollar for a mid-tier guard was never in their plans.

With Banks off to Green Bay, the 49ers can focus on finding a cost-effective upgrade at left guard—one that doesn’t come with a massive price tag.