ARIZONA — In a surprising turn of events, the San Francisco 49ers have released former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella, just days after signing him on July 31. The move comes as a shock, given Isabella’s brief stint with the team and the 49ers’ ongoing struggles with injuries at the wide receiver position. According to team sources, Isabella suffered a lower-body injury during training camp, which may have contributed to the decision. He is expected to reach an injury settlement with San Francisco.
To fill the void left by Isabella, the 49ers swiftly re-signed Equanimeous St. Brown, a player they had previously cut to make room for Isabella. St. Brown, now back on a one-year deal, steps into a receiver room plagued by health concerns. The 49ers are grappling with a rash of injuries, with key wideouts Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing, and Jauan Jennings either sidelined or on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Adding to their roster adjustments, San Francisco also signed another former Cardinals receiver, Robbie Chosen, to bolster their depth.
Isabella, a second-round pick by the Cardinals in 2019, was selected ahead of notable talents like Terry McLaurin and DK Metcalf—a decision that has haunted Arizona’s former general manager Steve Keim. Despite high expectations coming out of UMass, Isabella struggled to carve out a significant role during his three years with the Cardinals. In 39 games, he recorded just 33 receptions for 447 yards and three touchdowns, falling short of the dynamic playmaker Arizona had envisioned.
Reflecting on Isabella’s tenure, Keim, who has since parted ways with the Cardinals, was candid about the receiver’s struggles. “I think he just needed a fresh start,” Keim said. “We thought he was an outstanding slot receiver who could create separation with incredible speed and agility, but he never really found his footing here. Not to make excuses for him, but we had some pretty good receivers with Larry Fitzgerald, DeAndre Hopkins, and Hollywood Brown, among others, in that lineup. It was tough to find the right fit for him. But no excuses—we needed him to perform better, and we wish him luck elsewhere.”
Since leaving Arizona, Isabella’s career has been a journeyman’s tale. He had brief stints with the Baltimore Ravens in 2022, the Buffalo Bills in 2023, and the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, as well as a stop with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL. However, he has not appeared in an NFL game since 2023, raising questions about his future in the league.
Keim’s parting words also served as a reminder of the importance of scouting players who can translate their athleticism into on-field production. “This just reminds you, and our scouting department and coaching evaluations, to make sure we focus on guys who can actually play on Sunday—not just run a fast 40 or shuttle,” he noted.
Now a free agent once again, Andy Isabella finds himself at a crossroads, searching for another opportunity to prove he belongs in the NFL. Whether he can overcome his injury and reignite his career remains to be seen, but for now, the 49ers’ stunning decision has left the veteran wideout back on the open market.