Veteran free agent Earl Mitchell agreed to a four-year contract Friday to join the 49ers up-and-coming defensive line, a league source confirmed.
Mitchell will earn $5.5 million this season as part of the $16 million deal, as first reported by NFL Network. The 49ers have not confirmed the deal but are expected to do so Saturday.
The 49ers hosted Mitchell, 29, on Wednesday during a free agent tour that included visits to the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons.
Although free agency doesn’t begin until March 7 and players can’t sign until March 9, Mitchell could do so because he got cut last week from the Miami Dolphins after three seasons there.