John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan have a pretty good batting average when it comes to handing out massive contract extensions.
Since the duo took over the franchise in 2017, the 49ers have agreed to six contract extensions that were at least five years long, and worth at least $75 million. In the case of Dee Ford, it didn’t work out. Following Wednesday’s practice, the first of 49ers training camp, the team announced it released Ford in an expected move.
Ford never could stay on the field since the Niners acquired him from the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019. He played in 18 games (two starts) due to neck and back issues in his three seasons with San Francisco, which awarded him a five-year, $85.5 million extension in 2019 shortly after his trade.
The Niners were hoping he could be a dominant edge rusher, as he racked up 13 sacks and led the league with seven forced fumbles in 2018. Those expectations were never realized, as Ford ended up taking home $41.8 million from the 49ers, via Spotrac, and recording 9.5 total sacks. At least he did the team a solid favor by restructuring his contract earlier this year, which cleared up cap space for cornerback free-agent signee Charvarius Ward.
Ford’s signing probably stands as the worst during the Lynch/Shanahan tenure. Not to mention they sent a second-round pick (No. 63 overall) to the Chiefs in return.
It’s hard to get every big decision right in the NFL, but the 49ers have to feel good about the commitments they’ve made to Trent Williams (6 years, $138.1 million), Fred Warner (5 years, $95.2 million), Arik Armstead (5 years, $85 million) and George Kittle (5 years, $75). You can make an argument on both sides of the Jimmy Garoppolo extension (5 years, $137.5 million).
Deebo Samuel is in line for the next big extension, as Lynch said the 49ers have had “substantive and productive” talks with Samuel’s reps and that a deal could be announced in the “near future.” On Wednesday, Samuel did individual work on the sidelines while the team practiced.
"Of course we’d love to have him out there, we’re waiting on him to get back,” fellow receiver Brandon Aiyuk said of Samuel. “But things gotta get done first."
Nick Bosa has two years remaining on his rookie deal after the Niners exercised their fifth-year option on his contract this past offseason. Lynch said the franchise likes to wait until there is one year remaining on a deal to make an extension offer, so No. 97 could agree to a huge payday next summer.
“If you look at our history, our cadence, most of our deals are done with one year left on the contract,” Lynch said Tuesday. “Nick’s got two years left. That doesn’t make it impossible, but that makes it more likely that it’s something that will be addressed. No absolutes, never say never. As long as I do know we’re here, Nick Bosa’s gonna be part of the Niners and he’s gonna get paid handsomely to do so. His time’s coming. When it does, he’ll get what he deserves. Because, man, what a special player.”
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