Linebacker Oren Burks, a third-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2018, intends to sign with the San Francisco 49ers at the start of the new league year.
Burks announced the decision on his official Twitter account on Tuesday. The move can become official on Wednesday. Burks, who has an expiring rookie contract, will be the Packers’ first loss in unrestricted free agency.
First-year general manager Brian Gutekunst traded up into the third round to take Burks at No. 88 overall in 2018. The highly athletic linebacker was never able to carve out a meaningful role on the Packers defense but did end up playing almost 1,200 total snaps on special teams over 59 games and four seasons in Green Bay.