Report: 49ers Parting Ways With A “Key Player” Monday

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that the 49ers will announce some surprising news on Monday.

According to Florio, the news pertains to a “key player” being released.

“Some very surprising news related to the 49ers is coming, likely later today, regarding a key player on the team who won’t be on the team in 2015,” Florio writes. “A formal announcement is expected on Tuesday.

“That’s all we can say for now,” Florio writes. “But when it happens, you’ll be shocked — even though you’re now duly braced to be shocked.”

Florio added that this doesn’t involve the retirement of DE Justin Smith, which has been considered a possibility.

Jason Fitzgerald mentions that the only shocking move the 49ers could make is to release veteran ILB Patrick Willis. Fitzgerald adds that this move would free up $7.4 million in cap space.

We’ll have more as the news is available.