Valdez entered the league as an undrafted free agent after playing college football at Montana State and Washington. He joined the 49ers, with the team officially adding him to the practice squad on August 27, 2025, as part of a group of 13 players. For an undrafted rookie, establishing trust with coaches and proving he can contribute when called upon are essential steps in building an NFL career. Valdez’s choice to remain with San Francisco reflected his confidence in the organization’s development path and his belief that a future opportunity would emerge from within, rather than from elsewhere.
During the 2025 season, the 49ers kept Valdez within their development pipeline and utilized two standard elevations from the practice squad. Those elevations paid him more money for the weeks he was on the active roster—rising from $13,000 per week on the practice squad to over $46,000 for the elevation weeks. While he did not appear in a game that season, the financial benefit of the elevations was meaningful and reinforced the value of staying with a team that believed in his potential.
Valdez’s decision and path with the 49ers became particularly meaningful as the team faced roster moves and injuries on the defensive front. After initially missing the 53-man roster at the end of training camp and going unclaimed on waivers, he remained with San Francisco’s practice squad. Head coach Kyle Shanahan later discussed the team’s approach, describing candid conversations with Valdez about the likelihood of opportunity arising from injuries and the commitment not to pursue another player to fill a potentially open spot. Shanahan emphasized the importance of trust and honesty, noting, “We’re not lying. It’s a matter of time; someone’s going to get hurt, and you will be the next guy up. We’re not going to go get someone else.”
That patience paid off. In Week 3, when injuries struck the 49ers’ defensive line, Valdez was promoted to the 53-man roster. The promotion underscored the organization’s faith in his abilities and his readiness when called upon. The moment was a culmination of a season-long arc—staying ready, maintaining discipline, and proving through practice and preparation that he could contribute when opportunity arose.
Valdez’s first career NFL sack came on October 11 at Lumen Field, during a 32–29 victory over the Seattle Seahawks that helped push the 49ers to a 5–0 record. With star edge rusher Nick Bosa sidelined by a calf injury, San Francisco relied on a productive defensive front, recording five sacks and four takeaways in that game. Valdez contributed to the overall defensive effort, illustrating that the team’s decision to keep him in the mix could yield dividends when the moment called for it. In the broader context of the season, Valdez’s performance aligned with a run-defense profile he carried into the league, and his early-game defensive stops were noted by analysts who track such metrics.
The financial and professional trajectory of Valdez’s rise illustrates the tangible benefits of staying in a stable system. Practice squad pay is markedly different from active-roster compensation, and Valdez’s elevations demonstrated a meaningful pay increase for the weeks he spent on the active roster. These earnings, coupled with the opportunity to contribute in real-game scenarios, added both financial incentive and professional validation to his decision to remain with the 49ers.
Valdez’s experience embodies a larger theme for players who enter the NFL as undrafted free agents: the value of trust, development, and patient progression within a single organization. By maintaining his focus on the system, Valdez not only avoided a potentially disruptive mid-season move but also positioned himself for a meaningful role when the team needed depth and versatility along the defensive line. His journey shows that staying prepared and believing in a long-term plan can pay off, even when a more immediate opportunity appears tempting.
As Valdez continues his NFL career, the key takeaway is clear: steady development within a trusted program can create pathways to significant on-field contributions. His ascent from practice squad hopeful to active-roster contributor highlights the importance of perseverance, readiness, and faith in the team’s long-term vision. For aspiring players and fans alike, the story reinforces the idea that professional growth in the NFL often unfolds through patience, commitment, and the consistent execution of a well-laid plan.
