Eli Apple’s San Francisco tenure proved to be a short one.
The 49ers signed Apple on July 28 following a tryout, but his stay lasted just two weeks after he was released Thursday.
His career started with high hopes on the Giants after he was drafted at No. 10 in 2016. He spent two and a half seasons in New York, totaling just one interception and 20 passes defended in 30 games.
He was traded halfway through the 2018 season to the Saints to end his lackluster Big Apple stint.
In 2021, Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus called Apple the worst first-round pick made by the franchise since 2006.
After joining the Saints, Apple did see a slight uptick in his production, as he recorded two interceptions and 14 passes defended with New Orleans.
Apple said earlier this year that playing in the Big Easy was more agreeable.
“Chaotic is what I knew from being in the media storm of New York. So when I got to New Orleans, the media wasn’t as ruthless when I got out there. It was more calm for me,” Apple said in a Q&A with ReadWrite’s Kyle Odegard.
Apple added that he tried to do too much in New York.
“Being a young guy coming in, you try to balance everything, and you try to play Superman,” Apple said in the Q&A. “Sometimes it’s tough … That was my mistake, trying to do too much.”
But in 2019, he regressed, posting an interception-less season with New Orleans.
After that, the only other successful campaign he had was with the Bengals in 2021, when the team reached the Super Bowl — with him starting the big game at corner after he recorded two picks in the regular season.
Now, after getting cut by the 49ers, it remains to be seen where he’ll end up next as he looks to continue his NFL career.
