The San Francisco 49ers have made a surprising move by signing wide receiver Quintez Cephus to a one-year contract as training camp kicks off, a decision that has sparked debate due to his modest career stats and controversial past. To make room on the roster, the team waived running back Israel Abanikanda, according to an official announcement from the 49ers.
Cephus, a 27-year-old native of Macon, Georgia, was originally selected by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round (166th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. Over his five-year NFL career, which includes stints with the Lions (2020-24), Buffalo Bills (2024), Houston Texans (2024), and Los Angeles Rams (2024-25), Cephus has appeared in 22 games, starting six, and recorded 37 receptions for 568 yards (15.4 yards per catch) and four touchdowns. His most productive season came as a rookie in 2020, when he recorded 20 receptions for 349 yards and two touchdowns. However, his career trajectory has been anything but smooth.
In 2021, Cephus showed early promise but suffered a season-ending injury after just five games, limiting his impact. The following year, he played in only four games, managing just two receptions for 15 yards. His tenure with the Lions took a significant hit in 2023 when he was one of several players accused of violating the NFL’s gambling policy, resulting in a season-long suspension. Following the suspension, the Lions waived him.
49ers have signed WR Quintez Cephus to a one-year deal and waived RB Israel Abanikanda.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 24, 2025
After sitting out the 2023 season, Cephus attempted to revive his career in 2024. He briefly joined the Buffalo Bills in April but was released within a month. He then signed with the Houston Texans, only to be cut again, before landing with the Los Angeles Rams, where he spent most of the 2024 season on their practice squad. Despite signing a futures contract with the Rams, he was released on June 25, 2025. Now, Cephus gets a fresh opportunity with the 49ers, filling a roster spot left open after an injury to wide receiver Jacob Cowing.
During his college career at the University of Wisconsin (2016-19), Cephus showed significant potential, appearing in 38 games and recording 93 receptions for 1,496 yards (16.1 average) and 13 touchdowns. However, his professional career has yet to live up to that promise, and his off-field issues have added to the skepticism surrounding his signing.
The 49ers’ decision to sign Cephus has raised eyebrows, particularly given his limited production—averaging just 1.7 receptions and 25.8 yards per game across his career—and his gambling-related suspension. Critics argue that the team could have pursued a less controversial option, while supporters point to Cephus’s athletic potential and the low-risk nature of a one-year deal. With training camp underway, all eyes will be on Cephus to see if he can capitalize on this opportunity and prove his worth in San Francisco’s competitive receiving corps.