A well-regarded veteran safety is reportedly garnering interest from several clubs, including the team for whom he’s played the last three seasons.
The Bears, Browns and Jets are all prospective suitors for 49ers strong safety Donte Whitner, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reported Monday.
The Chronicle also reports the 49ers have interest in bringing back the 28-year-old Whitner, who notched 73 tackles and intercepted two passes for San Francisco in 2013.
Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, citing an unnamed source, reported that the Browns have considerable interest in adding Whitner. If the Browns were to sign Whitner, he would likely take the place of T.J. Ward, who can also test free agency on Tuesday.
In Chicago, Whitner could be a replacement for free agent Major Wright. The Jets, meanwhile, have Dawan Landry currently at strong safety and Antonio Allen at free safety.
Whitner is the 28th-ranked player on PFT’s Free Agent Hot 100.