The 49ers have locked down their top in-house free agent.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport has reported nose tackle Ian Williams has agreed to return to the Niners on a five-year deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter later reported the same.
DT Ian Williams has agreed to return to the #Niners on a 5-year deal, source said. Big move by SF before free agency begins
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2016
The news serves as a strong start to free agency for the 49ers, who have made no secret of their desire to focus on re-signing in-house free agents ahead of players from other teams.