SANTA CLARA — Antoine Bethea, an 11-year veteran and one of the leaders of the 49ers locker room, was released Tuesday, the 49ers announced.
Bethea, 32, started 39 games over the past three seasons for the 49ers. He led a poor 49ers defense in tackles in 2016 with 141 to go along with an interception, three passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
The release wasn’t a major surprise considering general manager John Lynch said at the NFL scouting combine that cornerback Jimmie Ward would likely be given a shot at free safety, with Eric Reid established as the other starting safety.