For a very straightforward reason, new San Francisco 49ers defensive back Logan Ryan left his cruise ship and returned to the NFL in less than two weeks.
On December 6, Ryan said to reporters, “You can’t turn down the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Ryan, a native of New Jersey, spent the majority of the season waiting for the right spot in free agency before signing with the 49ers on Tuesday. He previously won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and was a player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season.
“I was on a cruise two weeks ago,” Ryan remarked. “Today, I am present here. I’ve been here all morning and all night studying this defense as quickly as I can, and I have the playbook. We’ll observe how that plays out.
Ryan, 32, hasn’t participated in an NFL game since the Dallas Cowboys crushed the Buccaneers 31-14 in the NFC Wild Card game in January. After an 8–9 season, he declined to re-sign with the Bucs, preferring to wait for the ideal opportunity for his family and himself.
Yes, I didn’t necessarily want to play for other people. Regarding the 49ers, Ryan remarked, “I think it was a great opportunity.”
Between the Patriots, Buccaneers, New York Giants, and Tennessee Titans, Ryan has already played in ten seasons. Even though he struggled with injuries in his last season with Tampa Bay, he had no intention of retiring in 2022.
Not at all. Officially, I didn’t retire. Thankfully, I’m in a position in Year 11 to make a little money in the NFL. reasonably well, according to Ryan. “From a financial standpoint, I had the option to pursue other endeavors, such as managing my non-profit organization or partnering with my father to establish a police training company — I was essentially venturing into entrepreneurship.”
Ryan kept himself occupied with his wife and children, too. He and his wife, Ashley, have a daughter, Avery, and son, Ott.
“Coaching my kid’s soccer team. We’re undefeated. There’s two games left, so I had to leave the kids. My wife will finish that out,” Ryan said.
“It was a decision to walk away when I wanted to, but I left my phone on, and the right team had to call at the right time for me to come out here,” Ryan continued. “So I had many other opportunities going for me.”
Ryan spent his entire football career in the South or on the East Coast. He attended Rutgers University for his college education. With a third-round pick in 2013, the Patriots selected him, and he played four seasons in Foxborough from 2013 to 2016. He then spent time with the Titans in 2017 and 2019, the Giants in 2020 and 2021, and the Buccaneers in the previous year.
“For me to move all the way to the West Coast, never played for a team out here, it’s a big move for me, and I think it’s for the right reasons and I’m super focused and dedicated to help make this team better and find a role,” Ryan said.
Logan Ryan Fills a Need in 49ers Secondary
San Francisco needed a veteran safety amid injuries to Talanoa Hufanga and George Odum. Ryan still has something left after tallying 37 tackles, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble and 3 pass deflections in nine games last season.
“It is the ball’s vision.” When asked about his contribution, Ryan stated, “It’s the ability to communicate plays.” “They have excellent game plans, and they are coaching really well.”
Ryan continued, “I think Fred Warner is the best linebacker in the league when it comes to helping out in coverage—just to have the ability to communicate pre-snap.” “He frees up so much space for the safeties in the zones, which really helps someone like me to rely on my gut and finish games, make plays, and communicate plays—things I’ve made a career out of.”
Whether or not Ryan will play in Week 14 against the Seattle Seahawks remains to be seen. He acknowledged that’s the coaching staff’s decision ultimately.
“My job is to get out here and learn as fast as I can and get ready to play,” Ryan said.
