Commanders just handed Kris Kocurek a reunion opportunity with former 49ers DE

San Francisco 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek seems to have a knack for getting the most out of castoff defensive linemen.

During his Niners tenure, Kocurek has managed to grab more than a handful of faltering defenders and turn them into respectable players, who have often gone on and signed lucrative deals elsewhere after resurrecting their careers in the Bay Area.

Names like Arden Key, Charles Omenihu, Samson Ebukam and Clelin Ferrell are just some examples who have turned their careers around under the coach's tutelage.

Speaking of Ferrell, who spent the 2023 season with San Francisco after an underwhelming tenure with the Las Vegas Raiders (who drafted him No. 4 overall in 2019), he's now a free agent after the Washington Commanders made him part of their roster cut-down releases entering 2025.

News of such was reported by Commanders insider Ben Standig:

After departing the 49ers in free agency in 2024, Ferrell's first (and only) season in Washington culminated in 26 tackles, four of which were for a loss, nine quarterback hits and 3.5 sacks over 14 games played.

It might not have been the career-arc turnaround he was seeking, hence the release. But, a newfound free agent, Ferrell might see if Kocurek would welcome him back to the Bay Area.

Would 49ers consider reuniting Clelin Ferrell with Kris Kocurek?

Ferrell, 28 years old, will never come close to justifying his draft position. And, at this stage of his career, he's better off a situational pass-rusher with some modest thump against the run.

That said, the 49ers have some questions surrounding their defensive line heading toward the regular season. Another castoff D-linemen, whom the Niners have tried resurrecting, is Yetur Gross-Matos who flashed to a degree in the second half of 2024 before knee injuries all but eliminated his 2025 preseason campaign. With an opening stint on injured reserve likely for Gross-Matos, San Francisco might opt for a veteran fill-in, especially if it's looking for more experience behind rookie edges like Mykel Williams and the undrafted Sebastian Valdez.

However, Kocurek might only have a small bit of say here, as the 49ers defense has already undergone a massive makeover with the return of coordinator Robert Saleh, and Saleh already brought in his own situational pass-rusher with the offseason trade for Bryce Huff from the Philadelphia Eagles.

In that case, Ferrell might garner some modest interest from the Niners but only as a contingency plan if other options aren't as desirable, and it might only be the case if Gross-Matos' own injury isn't expected to get better for a considerable amount of time.