After spending a year with the Atlanta Falcons, tight end Ross Dwelley is returning to the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers announced on Friday that they’ve signed Dwelley to a one-year contract. He rejoins a tight end group that includes Pro Bowler George Kittle, veteran Luke Farrell, and third-year players Brayden Willis and Jake Tonges.
In his single season with the Falcons, Dwelley appeared in all 17 games but had limited production, registering just one catch for five yards in a Week 11 blowout loss to the Denver Broncos. He played 105 offensive snaps (9% of the total) and contributed significantly on special teams with 166 snaps (37%), tallying one tackle.
Dwelley saw action on offense in 14 games, with his most playing time coming in Week 15 against the Raiders (29 snaps) and Week 11 against Denver (26 snaps).
Atlanta brought back top tight ends Kyle Pitts and Charlie Woerner for 2025 and signed special teams contributor Feleipe Franks, which left little room for Dwelley.
Now 30 years old, Dwelley returns to the team where he began his NFL career in 2018 as an undrafted free agent from the University of San Diego. Over six seasons with San Francisco, he played in 84 games (17 starts), recording 44 receptions for 518 yards and five touchdowns.
His best years as a receiver came in 2019 and 2020, when he caught a combined 34 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns. At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, Dwelley brings experience and familiarity back to the 49ers’ offense.
