Sebastian Valdez has secured a spot on the San Francisco 49ers' active roster after turning down an offer from the Pittsburgh Steelers during his rookie season in 2025.
The undrafted defensive tackle from the University of Washington stayed on San Francisco's practice squad rather than accept Pittsburgh's active-roster invitation.
According to NBC Sports Bay Area reporter Matt Maiocco, the Steelers made the offer while Valdez was still on the 49ers' practice squad.
Valdez had signed with San Francisco after going undrafted in 2025.
A Decision Built on Belief in the System
Valdez said his confidence in the organization drove his choice to remain in San Francisco despite the chance to join another team's active roster.
"I believe in this team. I believe in the system that we have.
I believe in everything (the 49ers) strive for," Valdez told NBC Sports Bay Area.
"And I know the grass isn't always greener on the other side. So, yeah, I made the decision to stay."
San Francisco elevated Valdez to its roster twice during his rookie season, though he did not appear in a regular-season game.
Those elevations raised his weekly pay from $13,000 to more than $46,000 during the affected weeks, per Maiocco.
Valdez again missed the 53-man roster at the end of training camp in 2026.
After going unclaimed on waivers, he returned to the practice squad and eventually earned a promotion for San Francisco's Week 3 game as injuries created openings on the defensive front.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Valdez had come close to making the roster in both seasons and credited the player's consistent approach to his work.
Shanahan also explained that the coaching staff had assured Valdez he would receive an opportunity if injuries opened a place on the team.
"It's so awesome because he's a dude who, since Day 1, does it the right way. He was so close to making this team both years.
And we were so scared we were going to lose him," Shanahan said on NBC Sports Bay Area's 49ers Game Plan.
"Fortunately, we didn't lose him."
Shanahan added that the team followed through on its assurances by giving Valdez an opportunity rather than seeking another player when injuries affected the defensive line.
"He stayed with us because we told them we weren't lying.
'Dude, 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 get someone else,'" Shanahan said.
Valdez appeared in three consecutive games after his promotion, recording eight tackles and one sack, according to NBC Sports Bay Area and Yardbarker.
His contributions included gap control against the run and work that helped linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw make tackles.
Additional statistics reported by Yardbarker credited Valdez with four solo tackles, two quarterback hits and one tackle for loss during that stretch.
Niners Wire also reported three quarterback pressures and a sack against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5.
Valdez acknowledged that he had considered what might have happened had he accepted Pittsburgh's offer, but said he was satisfied with his decision to remain with San Francisco.
"For sure, I was like, 'OK, what would've happened if I did go?' But I don't like to think like that.
I don't like to think about regret," Valdez told NBC Sports Bay Area.
"I think everything I do is a lesson, and I learn from it. But I'm so, so excited and I'm so happy I stayed."
He also described the transition from practice squad player to active-roster contributor as a significant milestone in his career.
"It's a dream come true. It's super exciting, and I'm super, super pumped up to get ready every week," Valdez said.
Shanahan said he expects Valdez to continue improving as the season progresses.
The defensive tackle's emergence has given San Francisco another option on a defensive front affected by injuries, including the absence of Nick Bosa with a calf injury.
