49ers Sign Former Vikings Defender
Other than offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw and outside linebacker Patrick Jones II, the 2021 NFL Draft didn’t net much for the Minnesota Vikings.
With training camp about two months away, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh brought a former Vikings defender with him from New York to the NFC West.
One 3rd-Rounder from that class, linebacker Chazz Surratt, didn’t last long in Minnesota, joining the New York Jets in 2022.
Now, Surratt is on the move once again, signing with the San Francisco 49ers as organized team activities are underway.
Chazz Surratt to 49ers
49ers.com detailed the transaction on Wednesday: “The San Francisco 49ers today announced they have signed P Thomas Morstead and LB Chazz Surratt to one-year deals. In order to make room on the roster, the team waived LB DaShaun White and released P Mitch Wishnowsky.”
“Surratt (6-2, 233) was originally selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round (78th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. Throughout his four-year career with the Vikings (2021) and New York Jets (2022-24), he has appeared in 41 games (five starts) and registered 19 tackles on defense to go along with 18 special teams tackles. In 2024, he appeared in a career-high 17 games (five starts) and recorded 18 tackles on defense and 10 special teams tackles with the Jets.”
The Jets had not prioritized re-signing Surratt through 2.5 months of free agency, and he lived on the open market until this week.
49ers.com added, “A 28-year-old native of Denver, NC, Surratt attended the University of North Carolina (2017-20) where he appeared in 33 games and registered 207 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, eight passed defensed, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.”
Surratt will now vie for a 53-man roster spot in San Francisco this summer.
A Robert Saleh Carry Over
The Jets employed Robert Saleh as head coach for 3.5 seasons before firing him last year — right after his team lost to the Vikings in London.
Saleh turned around and signed with the Green Bay Packers as an offensive consultant, and it didn’t take long for Saleh to find a new gig in San Francisco as the defensive coordinator. He held the same job in San Francisco from 2017 to 2020.
Surratt and Saleh worked together in New York for a few seasons, so Saleh merely carried him over to San Francisco.
Surratt’s NFL Resume
Here’s Surratt’s NFL resume through four seasons:
- Minnesota Vikings (2021)
- New York Jets (2022–2024)
- San Francisco 49ers (2025–present)
Surratt has played about 146 defensive snaps in career, tallying a 72.7 Pro Football Focus grade in 2024. The man didn’t play much on defense, but when on the field, Surratt played quite well.
Surratt’s Time with the Vikings
The former Viking played nine games in Minnesota, exclusively experiencing special teams action in 2021. Mike Zimmer and friends put him on the field for 98 special teams snaps that year, his only season in the Twin Cities.
When general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell arrived on the scene in 2022, Surratt did not survive the changeover to a new regime and signed with the Jets two days after failing to make the 53-man roster on O’Connell’s squad.
49ers-Themed Media on Surratt
SI.com’s Jose Luis Sanchez III, who covers the 49ers, opined on the Surratt move Wednesday. He wrote, “Boy, the San Francisco 49ers are doing everything to appease defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.”
“Unlike with the Vikings, Surratt saw playing time on defense. It seems Saleh was able to get some use out of him. He didn’t see a ton of playing time. In 2022, he was primarily on the practice squad.”
Surratt turned 28 in February.
Sanchez III concluded, “In 2023, he saw only nine snaps. His 2024 season was where it all changed, which is coincidentally when Saleh was fired by the Jets. Surratt’s defensive usage was mainly as a run defense, so in base packages. His usage with the 49ers will most likely be special teams, with maybe a chance to compete in the base package.”
“However, I sincerely doubt he will give rookie Nick Martin or Dee Winters a run for their money. Given that the 49ers signed a punter today, it seems their theme is special teams additions. So, it is probably safe to assume that Surratt is a special teams signing for the 49ers.”
San Francisco’s defense ranked 13th per DVOA last season.
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