Junior Bergen

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

This Junior Bergen signing earns a D+ CVI, representing a slight overpay for what appears to be a depth receiver on a minimum wage deal. At $0.9M annually, the 49ers are essentially paying bottom-tier NFL salaries for a player whose production profile suggests he's more suited for practice squad or special teams duties than meaningful offensive contributions. While the financial commitment is minimal and won't hamstring San Francisco's salary cap, even at league-minimum rates, teams should expect some level of NFL-ready production from rostered players. The contract structure likely offers easy escape routes given the modest guaranteed money, but the 49ers would have been better served allocating this roster spot to an undrafted rookie with higher upside or a veteran with proven special teams value. This signing reflects more of a camp body addition than a strategic investment in the receiving corps, and Bergen will need to significantly outperform expectations to justify even this modest financial commitment.

Performance Analysis

Junior Bergen enters the 49ers' receiver room as a replacement-level option at best, and his D- performance grade reflects exactly that — a seventh-round pick out of the 2025 draft who has produced next to nothing in his limited NFL exposure. Through three preseason appearances, Bergen has managed just 1 receiving yard, which tells you everything you need to know about his current standing as a contributor at the position. The most glaring issue on film and in practice has been his unreliability as a special teams asset — a muffed punt is a costly error for a player whose only realistic path to a roster spot runs directly through coverage and return units. Bergen is a 23-year-old in his rookie season, and at pick 252 there were never any illusions about immediate impact; the concern right now is whether he's even securing his practice squad standing. The mediaFraming around him is honest: this is a depth gamble with regional charm, driven more by his Montana background and underdog appeal than by any legitimate threat to established wideouts on the depth chart. San Francisco has continued adding bodies this offseason — multiple signings in April alone — which only deepens the competition Bergen has to beat out just to stay on the practice squad. The sentiment trend has been sliding, now sitting at a D, and unless injuries open an unexpected door before the regular season kicks off in 132 days, Bergen's role figures to remain developmental at best.

Fan Sentiment

Bergen is a raw camp body and undrafted long shot chasing an NFL dream with San Francisco. Headlines paint a feel-good local story, not a meaningful roster addition. A muffed punt in preseason is the strongest on-field signal — and it's not encouraging. Fans from Montana are rooting hard, but 49ers faithful see this as depth filler at best. Bergen will likely bounce between the practice squad and waivers throughout his rookie campaign.