The Esthen ExchangeSan Francisco 49ers' defense, already among the best in the league, just got better.

The Denver Broncos have traded linebacker Randy Gregory and a 2024 seventh-round draft pick to the 49ers in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick, both teams confirmed Friday.

Gregory – who was drafted 60th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in 2015 after falling to the second round following a failed combine drug test – signed a five-year contract in March 2022 worth up to $70 million with the Broncos. He was limited to a total of 10 games (six starts) in his Denver tenure due to injury and recorded 21 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles.

"Being able to add a guy like that, we feel he’ll make our team better so we didn’t hesitate to do it," 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Friday. "Two years ago, when we played him up there in Dallas, he’s as good as a rusher as we’ve gone against."

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Shanahan said Gregory already came into town for his physical, was heading back to Denver to see his family and gather his belongings, then would report to the 49ers on Monday.

Gregory's addition to the Broncos in 2022 was an interesting one. After starting his career with the Cowboys, Gregory originally agreed to terms with Dallas. The Cowboys announced the move on their social media accounts and even published an article on the team's official website but later had to scrub the links after Gregory decided to sign with Denver instead, following last-minute negotiations.

On Wednesday, Broncos head coach Sean Payton said "it was best for our team right now" to move on from Gregory as they go with "some of our younger players."

Now, Gregory will join the 49ers defense, which ranks fifth in the NFL in total defense (284.3 yards per game allowed), third in scoring defense (14.5 points per game) and third in rushing defense (66 yards per game).

Gregory, 30, has appeared in 60 games (18 starts) in his NFL career and recorded a total of 106 tackles and 19.5 sacks.

Contributing: Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY