The 49ers won’t have their 2020 sack leader back for the 2021 season. Defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr. is set to sign a three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The report was confirmed by Hyder’s agent.
Hyder was thrust into a starting role last year when injuries took out Dee Ford and Nick Bosa in the first two weeks, and he responded with the best season of his career.
The 29-year-old posted a career-best 8.5 sacks while starting 14 of 16 games. He was also a strong run defender as well. His 8.5 sacks were tops on the 49ers, and his 14 starts were 12 more than he’d ever had in a season.
It looked like the 49ers would have a chance to retain Hyder’s services the longer he went without a deal, but Seattle locked him up with a three-year contract worth up to $16.5 million. Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams reported the deal is actually a two-year, $6.5 million pact with a $10 million third year that voids.
Hyder in his career has played in 56 games with 16 starts. In those games he’s racked up 18.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss. The 49ers will face Hyder and the Seahawks twice next season.
