Adam Schefter of ESPN was the first to break the news of the signing on April 3.

“Per source, the 49ers are signing former Green Bay Packers RB Patrick Taylor Jr. to a one-year deal,” Schefter tweeted. “Having faced the 49ers in the playoffs, Taylor now joins their ranks. Taylor’s agent, @chriscabott of @equitysports, confirmed the deal.”

Approaching his fourth NFL season, Taylor Jr. spent the past three years in Green Bay, often serving as the third-string option behind Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon.

It’s anticipated that Taylor will assume a comparable role with San Francisco, although he might encounter challenges making the roster. The majority of touches typically go to Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel, while Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason offer solid backup options at relatively affordable contracts.

Nevertheless, both Mitchell and Mason are entering the final year of their current contracts, suggesting that this signing could pave the way for a transition away from either RB.

Meanwhile, despite their activity in free agency, the 49ers are also striving to retain Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk addressed the situation on March 28 during “The Night Cap” podcast.

“I’m aiming to receive fair compensation,” Aiyuk expressed. “This season, I’ve truly discovered my identity as both a person and a player — understanding my contributions on the field, in the locker room, and to the organization.”

Given that Aiyuk led the 49ers in receiving yards over the past two seasons, his stance is understandable. However, securing substantial contracts for players like Aiyuk often presents its challenges.

Evan Reier, a sports journalist covering the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers for Heavy.com, was responsible for this report. Reier previously contributed to sports coverage for the Montana Standard and served as a managing editor for Outsider.