DT Javon Hargrave said it was ‘shocking’ when the 49ers reached out Monday

Mar 16, 2023, 5:02 PM | Updated: Mar 17, 2023, 12:48 pm

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Javon Hargrave #97 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after a sack during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The San Francisco 49ers made a big splash in free agency on day one, agreeing to terms with defensive tackle Javon Hargrave on a massive four-year deal. Thought to be strapped for cash this offseason, the signing by the 49ers surprised everyone, including Hargrave himself.

During his first media session Thursday, the former Philadelphia Eagle recapped his free-agency experience, sharing his surprise that the 49ers came knocking on his door.

“It really was shocking to me,” Hargrave said with a smile Thursday. “A [winning] team like that doesn’t pay someone like me to come over here. I’m just happy to be a part of all these dawgs over here.”

Coming off a Super Bowl appearance, Javon (Jay-Von) assumed that he’d need to join a rebuilding franchise to secure the bag. Entering the 2023 offseason with some nerves about his next team, the defensive lineman was giddy when he heard San Francisco was interested.

And after getting a four-year, $84 million deal, the decision was pretty easy for him.

“Sometimes when you’re trying to go get the money, you have to go to a team that’s in a rebuild mode,” Hargrave explained. “But you got a chance to go to a team that was just in the NFC Championship, that’s kind of an easy choice for me.”

Javon Hargrave 🤝 #49ers: Officially official

🎥: @49ers pic.twitter.com/HQk6g3p0kQ

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) March 16, 2023

The South Carolina State alum has been a fan of the Red & Gold’s style for a while, often using its’ film to perfect his skills on the interior. Money is one thing, but when style and location also meet the criteria, the decision becomes pretty easy to make.

“When I heard how much the 49ers wanted me, it was really a quick decision…I felt like this was the perfect situation for me,” he stated.

Equipped with several playmakers on defense, Hargrave is most thrilled to be playing alongside Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa. Not only because he can improve his own craft further, but because it makes his life a hell of a lot easier in the trenches.

“Nick [is] the Defensive Player of the Year,” he said with another big smile. “So it frees up everybody else and then it will free me up a lot [as well]. So of course, [I’m] ready to be around the guys and just learn how they play the game and just try to pick their brains a little bit. They can help me be a better player too.”

Javon Hargrave, 30, was an unstoppable force last season, recording a career-high 11 sacks in 2022 for the Eagles. He also registered 60 combined tackles, 16 QB hits and 10 TFLs.