Ross Dwelley Rejoins the San Francisco 49ers Adding Better Depth

Ross Dwelley is back in the Bay. On May 2, 2025, the San Francisco 49ers announced they were bringing back the veteran tight end on a one-year contract. Dwelley spent six years with the 49ers before playing last season with the Atlanta Falcons. Now, he returns to a place he knows well, offering depth, leadership, and experience in a position group that could use all three. It is not a flashy move, but it makes a bunch of sense.

Dwelley Never Did Too Much, But He Always Did Enough

Dwelley is not the kind of player who shows up in the headlines every Sunday. He was never a top fantasy pick or a household name. But coaches trusted him. Teammates respected him. And when the 49ers needed someone to block, catch, or fill in on short notice, Dwelley was there.

He joined the team in 2018 as an undrafted free agent. Over time, he worked his way into the lineup. He ended up playing in 101 regular season games for San Francisco between 2018 and 2023. He started 17 of those games and recorded 45 catches, 523 yards, and 5 touchdowns. No, those are not huge numbers. But they show something important. He stuck around. He did his job. And he rarely made mistakes.

In 2023, he played in most of the special teams snaps, more than two-thirds of them. That is where much of his value came from. He was not just depth for the offense he was one of the glue guys who helped make sure the little things got done. Coaches love guys like that, even if fans do not always notice them.

The Atlanta Year Was Quiet, But He Stayed Ready

Dwelley signed with the Falcons in 2024. It was a quieter year for him. He played in all 17 games, but his role was smaller than it had been in San Francisco. He had one reception all season just five yards. But again, his value came more from what he did without the ball.

He played on over one-third of Atlanta’s special teams snaps. That consistency helped him stay sharp. He was not just sitting on the bench. He was active. He was involved. That matters, especially when it comes time to bring a player back.

Now he returns to San Francisco, a place he already knows. He already understands the offensive system. He already has chemistry with the coaching staff and some of the guys in the locker room. In a league that moves fast and changes often, that kind of familiarity is hard to replace.

Not a Big Splash, But a Solid Call

This move probably will not make too many headlines outside the Bay Area. It is not that kind of signing. But that does not mean it is not important. The 49ers are aiming to make another deep postseason run. And to do that, they need steady hands like Dwelley’s.

George Kittle will handle the big plays. He is the main guy at tight end, and everyone knows it. But Kittle cannot be out there every single snap. And injuries can happen at any time. That is where Dwelley fits in. He is ready to block. Ready to help on special teams and to step in if something goes wrong.

Sometimes the best moves are not the loud ones. They are the ones that quietly make a team stronger. That is what this is. A good player, back where he belongs, ready to help again.

Sometimes a team does not need to chase headlines. It just needs to bring back someone who already understands the culture, who knows the playbook, and who shows up ready to work. Dwelley is that kind of player. He is not here to be a star. He is here to help. That matters. In a long season, with all the chaos and injuries that come with it, having a guy like Dwelley on your side can be the difference when things get tough for the 49ers.