49ers Sign Equanimeous St. Brown, Amon-Ra’s Brother, to One-Year Deal
BREAKING NEWS: 49ers Sign Equanimeous St. Brown, Amon-Ra’s Brother, to One-Year Deal
The San Francisco 49ers have officially added another weapon to their wide receiver room with the signing of veteran wideout Equanimeous St. Brown to a one-year deal, the team announced Tuesday. The move brings depth and versatility to an already potent 49ers offense, while also drawing headlines due to St. Brown’s well-known family ties—he is the older brother of Detroit Lions star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
The signing marks the latest chapter in Equanimeous’s NFL journey, which has included stints with the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. Now, he finds a new opportunity in San Francisco—a team widely considered one of the top contenders heading into the 2025 NFL season.
“Equanimeous brings size, intelligence, and experience to our receiver corps,” said 49ers General Manager John Lynch in a press release. “He’s a selfless player, a strong blocker, and a guy who understands what it takes to contribute on a championship-caliber team.”
A Solid Depth Addition
St. Brown, 27, was originally a sixth-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 2018 NFL Draft. At 6-foot-5 and 214 pounds, he brings rare height and physicality to the wideout position, often drawing praise for his blocking ability and football IQ. He spent the last two seasons with the Bears, where he played a hybrid role as both a receiver and a run-game asset.
While his career receiving numbers—63 receptions for 928 yards and 2 touchdowns over six seasons—won’t jump off the page, his skill set fills a need for the 49ers. San Francisco has been looking to solidify its depth behind star receivers Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Jauan Jennings, particularly with the long-term future of Aiyuk still uncertain amid contract talks.
“We know what we’re getting in EQ,” said head coach Kyle Shanahan. “He’s a smart player who can play multiple roles. He’s unselfish, understands our system, and he’s been in big games. That matters.”
The Family Factor
Much of the public spotlight on Equanimeous comes from his high-profile family. His younger brother, Amon-Ra St. Brown, has emerged as one of the NFL’s brightest stars in Detroit, making multiple Pro Bowls and recently signing a lucrative contract extension. Their father, John Brown, is a two-time Mr. Universe bodybuilder who raised his sons with an intense focus on discipline, athleticism, and education.
The brothers’ story has been well-documented in NFL Films features and the Amazon Prime series “Hard Knocks.” Despite their different career trajectories, both Equanimeous and Amon-Ra have drawn praise for their work ethic and professionalism.
“Amon-Ra’s path has been incredible, and I’ve always been proud of him,” Equanimeous said in a statement Tuesday. “But this is my journey. I’ve got a lot of football left, and I’m excited to write my next chapter in San Francisco.”
Special Teams and Versatility
Beyond offensive contributions, St. Brown is also expected to play a key role on special teams, where his speed and physicality make him valuable in kick coverage and blocking schemes. The 49ers, who consistently rank among the top special teams units in the league, have prioritized players who can contribute in multiple phases of the game.
“We don’t sign guys just to fill the locker room,” said special teams coordinator Brian Schneider. “EQ has been one of the most consistent gunners in the NFC over the last few years. That helps us in a big way.”
His experience in cold-weather NFC North games also gives him a level of toughness and situational awareness that fits with the 49ers’ gritty identity.
Low-Risk, High-Reward Move
The financial terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed, but sources say it is a veteran minimum contract with performance-based incentives. That makes the deal a low-risk acquisition for a San Francisco team that is already stacked on offense but needs reliable depth as they aim for another Super Bowl run.
The move comes after the team brought in several players for workouts over the past week, with St. Brown reportedly standing out in both physical tests and playbook comprehension. His ability to quickly learn and adapt to Kyle Shanahan’s complex offensive system was a major factor in the signing.
Camp Competition Heating Up
With training camp underway, St. Brown enters a competitive wide receiver room. He will battle with players like Ronnie Bell, Danny Gray, and rookie Jacob Cowing for snaps and a spot on the final 53-man roster.
Still, with his experience and versatility, many insiders believe St. Brown has a strong chance to make the team—and potentially earn meaningful reps in the regular season.
“You need guys like him in the locker room,” said 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel. “Veterans who know the grind, who don’t need the spotlight, and who just do the job.”
Final Thoughts
As the 49ers gear up for another run at the Lombardi Trophy, every piece of the puzzle counts—and the signing of Equanimeous St. Brown might quietly prove to be one of the smarter under-the-radar moves of the offseason.
For St. Brown, it’s a new beginning. For the 49ers, it’s a calculated bet on a veteran presence with the pedigree, toughness, and attitude to make an impact when it matters most.
And with both St. Brown brothers now set to play pivotal roles for playoff-bound teams, NFL fans may want to keep their eyes peeled—because this family isn’t done making noise on Sundays just yet.
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