The 49ers’ defense needs to be revamped. It appears sluggish and lifeless. At times, it even appears aged. The safeties aren’t making plays like they did the previous season, and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks plays the cornerbacks nine yards off the line of scrimmage, seemingly lacking faith in his secondary. It’s time to play Ji’Ayir Brown, the 49ers’ third-round pick this year and the free safety they traded up for in Round 3.
Tashaun Gipson, their current free safety, is 33 years old, ranks eighth on the team in tackles, and has only had one interception this season—a gimme pop fly from Dak Prescott. He’s not blocking passes or runs with any skill. In the offseason, he will also be available as a free agent. It implies that he won’t be playing for the team the following season.
The 49ers traded up for Brown because they anticipated Gipson’s downfall. They were aware that Gipson would pass away in 2024 and that he was aging and maybe becoming slower. In order to replace him, they used their first draft pick this year.
Gipson is a seasoned player, and Brown is still getting used to the defense, so it seems sense that the 49ers would start him in the first half of the season. But by now Brown ought to be aware of it. If he does, he must come into the game with a spark in the secondary, not as a plodding safety nearing the end of his career.
