SANTA CLARA — Joe Montana. Alex Smith. Dee Ford.
Every so often in 49ers history, a trade happens with the Kansas City Chiefs for a marquee player. The latest is a deal for pass rusher Dee Ford, and that can become official when the league year starts at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
How does it stack up to others, at least in terms of magnitude? This could work out as the best. Let’s look:
1. Farewell, Joe Montana. The 49ers’ most cherished player sought the Chiefs as his destination after years of the NFL’s most legendary QB controversy with Steve Young.