SANTA CLARA >> Not even long snapper Taybor Pepper proved safe from the 49ers’ offseason purge.

Pepper, who’s been with the 49ers since 2020, was released Thursday as part of the franchise’s roster recalibration and a concerted effort to overhaul their special teams under new coordinator Brant Boyer.

Replacing Pepper is Jon Weeks, a 39-year-old long snapper who played the past 15 seasons for the Houston Texans, including a 2015 Pro Bowl berth and their 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year honor.

Pepper, 30, had snapped every game since replacing Kyle Nelson in the fourth game of 2020. He was due to make $1.26 million in base salary entering the final year of a three-year extension.

“Thank you Faithful! Wanted to end my career with the 49ers, but I’ve still got some years left in the tank,” Pepper wrote on the social-media platform X. “Love all the amazing players I’ve gotten to share the field with during my time. I’ll deeply miss all of the amazing support staff that continue to keep the org moving.”

Pepper’s most notorious moment came last November when he came to kicker Jake Moody’s defense in Tampa Bay, when teammate Deebo Samuel confronted Moody after a third missed field-goal attempt and Samuel subsequently took a swipe at Pepper’s neck. The 49ers officially traded Samuel to the Washington Commanders on Wednesday for a fifth-round draft pick.

SIGNINGS ANNOUNCED >> The 49ers announced deals have also been ratified with six other free agents, as previously reported: tight end Luke Farrell, wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, linebacker Luke Gifford, cornerback Tre Brown and safeties Richie Grant and Jason Pinnock. Not yet official is Wednesday night’s with backup quarterback Mac Jones on a two-year, $7 million deal.

JUSCZCZYK VISITS PITTSBURGH >> Kyle Juszczyk’s days on the unemployment line may not last much longer. Juszczyk, released by the 49ers after eight seasons, visited the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday.

The 49ers informed Juszczyk on Monday he wasn’t being brought back for the final year of his contract at a $4.1 million salary. Last spring, Juszczyk agreed to a pay cut and produced his ninth straight Pro Bowl season, having also been honored in 2017 to cap his four-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens.

If Juszczyk joins the Steelers, he’ll be the 14th player to leave the 49ers this week for a new employer, including Thursday’s deals sending backup quarterback Brandon Allen to the Tennessee Titans and cornerback Isaac Yiadom to the New Orleans Saints.

The 49ers have not filled those vacancies with established starters and instead made seven budget-conscious acquisitions for backups, including Wednesday night’s deal for quarterback Mac Jones

One of Juszczyk’s top moments in a 49ers uniform was an open-field stiff-arm that upended Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in a 2019 game at Levi’s Stadium.

Juszczyk, who turns 34 next month, grew up in Ohio about a two-hour drive from Pittsburgh. His wife Kristin posted an Instagram story Wednesday of the couple on a plane, presumably to Pittsburgh.

QB ALLEN ON MOVE >> Allen’s two-season tenure with the 49ers is done, as reflected earlier by Wednesday’s acquisition of Jones to back up Purdy. A one-year deal brought Allen to the Titans and coach Brian Callahan, a De La Salle High product who was Allen’s offensive coordinator when they previously were with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Allen served as the third-string quarterback behind Purdy and Sam Darnold in 2023, and he was pressed into service last season to start a Nov. 24 loss at Green Bay (17-of-29, 199 yards, one touchdown, one interception, one lost fumble).

The 49ers’ quarterback depth chart at it stands now: Purdy, Jones and Tanner Mordecai. Allen and Purdy share an agent, Kyle Strongin, who’s been negotiating with the 49ers on a contract extension for the former.

YIADOM RETURNS TO SAINTS >> Cornerback Isaac Yiadom is returning to the New Orleans Saints on a three-year deal, his agency at Vayner Sports announced. It is a $9 million deal with $4.9 million guaranteed and a maximum value of $10.5 million, according to NFL Network.

Yiadom, a seven-year veteran, had a career-best season with the 2023 Saints (14 passes defended, one interception) and he’ll return there to play under new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who spent last season as a 49ers defensive assistant and also worked with Yiadom on the 2019 Denver Broncos.

Last season, Yiadom played 46% of the defensive snaps while starting five games and appearing in all 17. He allowed a 58.5% completion rate on targets (24-of-41, 312 yards) and two touchdowns. HIs playing time diminished as the 49ers turned more to rookie Renardo Green behind starters Deommodore Lenoir and Charvarius Ward, the latter of whom has signed with the Indianapolis Colts.

BOSA ON BUFFALO >> Joey Bosa, older brother of 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, described his urgency to win at his introductory press conference Thursday upon signing his one-year, $12.6 million deal. “I’m running out of time here. It’s going fast. I’m in Year 10 coming up and I just don’t have that many moments left, so I have to grasp them while I can. All that’s on my mind is football this year and helping the team,” said Bosa, adding that he’s excited to join “a winning team, a winning culture and a football town.”