One of the quieter success stories on the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive line this season has been Sebastian Valdez, but his path to this point almost took a very different turn.
Late last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers reached out with an offer for the second-year undrafted defensive tackle to leave the 49ers’ practice squad and join their active roster, according to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. Valdez stayed put.
“I believe in this team,” Valdez said to Maiocco. “I believe in the system that we have.
I believe in everything (the 49ers) strive for. And I know the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
So, yeah, I made the decision to stay.”
That choice has mattered. The 49ers signed Valdez as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Washington and elevated him to the roster twice last season, though he didn’t make his NFL debut until Week 3 this season.
Now injuries across San Francisco’s defensive front have created a bigger opening, and Valdez has taken advantage. He moved from the practice squad to the active roster and wasted little time making an impact.
Through three games, Valdez has three quarterback pressures. In Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks, he collected the first sack of his career. Pro Football Focus has also credited him with six run stops.
The 49ers have gotten plenty out of late-round picks and undrafted players during Kyle Shanahan’s tenure, and Valdez looks like the latest in that line. What nearly became a departure has instead turned into another undrafted success story, helping San Francisco in its undefeated start to the 2026 season.
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