SANTA CLARA — The San Francisco 49ers have reached a verbal agreement to add veteran pass-catching tight end Gerald Everett, pending a full team physical, per a source briefed on the talks. Because Everett dealt with a health issue last summer and a limited 2024, the agreement is contingent on him clearing medicals; if he does not pass, the signing will not be finalized. The timing lines up with the club’s preseason finale against the Chargers at Levi’s Stadium on Sat., Aug. 23, 5:30 p.m. PT, a last look before Tuesday’s cutdown.

Everett, 31, hit the market in February after the Bears released him to create cap space. He opened Chicago’s 2024 camp on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list before returning, and finished the year in a muted receiving role — context that explains why the 49ers want the medical box checked before proceeding.

From a football fit, Everett profiles as a motion/YAC seam threat who’s comfortable in condensed formations and play-action — traits that historically mesh with Kyle Shanahan’s offense and complement George Kittle without disrupting the current depth chart. The idea, per the source, would be to integrate Everett into third-down and red-zone packages quickly if the medical clears, then let the role evolve after cutdown and into September.

Why this makes sense now: Final-week roster churn often targets specific situational skills. Everett’s availability and experience give San Francisco a veteran pass-game outlet at TE precisely when staff are scripting early-season answers and evaluating bottom-of-roster flexibility.

What’s next: Everett travels for the team physical. If all goes well, paperwork could follow ahead of the Chargers game; if not, both sides are expected to move on without a deal. Either way, the 49ers will have one more live audition on Saturday before trimming to 53