After being waived just a week ago, former Chargers defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the 49ers.
At the time of his signing, Joseph-Day indicated that he was thankful for his release and the opportunity to play with the Niners. But he decided to keep any comments on what wrong in Los Angeles to himself.
Chargers interim head coach Giff Smith was finally asked about the surprise release at his Friday media availability.
It was a situations where myself and JoJo [Wooden], just in talking really, the easiest way to say is that it was just in the best interest for the team. Other stuff I’d rather just keep in-house, but we wish him the best. I hope he does well in San Francisco and that everybody moves on.
Certainly, that quote puts to bed the idea that the two sides were amicable at the time of release. Some had speculated that Joseph-Day asked for his release in advance to join a contender. But clearly as demonstrated by the friction between the two sides, that’s not what had happened.
Joseph-Day was signed to a three-year deal in the 2022 offseason with the team in Brandon Staley’s first big spending splurge as head coach. Staley brought in a few of his “guys” over the year from previous stops in the NFL.
With a new general manager and coaching staff coming in for 2024, it was unlikely that Joseph-Day had much of a chance to remain on the team. Especially when weighing his current production with the team’s own cap situation. The most optimal time to make the move may have been now.
Scott Matlock, Otito Ogbonnia, and other members of the defensive tackle room will have an opportunity for an increased workload in Joseph-Day’s absence. That will start with the Broncos on Sunday and a Week 18 finale against the Chiefs.
