In 2011, linebacker Blake Costanzo helped give the 49ers some of the best special teams units in the league but he left for the Bears as a free agent the next offseason.
Costanzo remained a core special teams player over two years with the Bears, but he’s making the reverse trip this offseason. Costanzo’s agent David Canter announced that his client has returned to the 49ers.
Costanzo will be reunited with special teams coach Brad Seely, who coached him with the 49ers and during Costanzo’s two years as a member of the Browns. Costanzo plays inside linebacker, so he may work his way into the mix of players trying to fill in for NaVorro Bowman while Bowman continues to recover from a major knee injury but the special teams work is what brought him back to San Francisco and what will be his best route to sticking with the 49ers into the regular season.
The linebacker was undrafted out of Lafayette and spent time on the Jets’ practice squad before making his NFL debut with the Bills in 2007.