49ers send Seattle native Taylor Mays to Bengals

Safety Taylor Mays, who attended Seattle’s O’Dea High School, was a second-round pick by the 49ers in 2010. (AP)

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the 49ers have traded Taylor Mays to the Bengals for an undisclosed draft pick, ending what became an awkward situation between the team and the embattled second-year safety.

Mays, who attended Seattle’s O’Dea High School before playing for Pete Carroll at USC, leaves San Francisco after just one season. He was a second-round pick in 2010 and started six games as a rookie before he was replaced.

His departure doesn’t come as much of a surprise. The 49ers added safeties Madieu Williams and Donte Whitner before re-signing starter Dashon Goldson. Schefter reported earlier this month that the 49ers had sent an email to the 31 other NFL teams stating that Mays was available.

Mays and the Bengals play the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Week 8.