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The San Francisco 49ers are signing former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and special teams standout Ray-Ray McCloud to a two-year deal, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. McCloud led the NFL in kick and punt return yards (1,143) in 2021.
WR/return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud is signing with the #49ers we have a two-year deal, per source.
McCloud led NFL in punt return yards (367) and also caught 39 passes for the Steelers last year.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 18, 2022
Fowler added that the Steelers attempted to bring back McCloud, but the 49ers were willing to make a stronger commitment. McCloud can earn up to $10.4 million on the deal, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Tea #49ers are signing form #Steelers WR/RS Ray-Ray McCloud to a two-year deal worth up to $10.4 million, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 18, 2022
Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports was the first to report the 49ers’ interest in McCloud, saying last week that the team had set its sights on the special teamer.
The Buffalo Bills made McCloud (5-9, 190) a sixth-round selection out of Clemson in 2018. He registered a career-high 39 receptions for 277 yards through 16 game appearances with the Steelers last season while returning a league-leading 38 punts for a league-high 367 yards and 35 kick-off returns for 776 yards.
San Francisco filled a significant offseason need with this signing. Former 49ers running back and return Trenton Cannon left the team to sign with the Tennessee Titans.
McCloud, 25, has caught 64 passes for 390 yards in 48 game appearances and eight starts through his four NFL seasons with the Bills, Carolina Panthers, and Steelers.
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