The Niners still have some business to conduct this offseason.
It’s been a busy offseason for the San Francisco 49ers when it comes to extending their stars, as quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle, and linebacker Fred Warner all inked long-term deals to remain in the Bay Area.
Purdy’s deal was the most significant, as he and the 49ers agreed on a five-year, $265 million extension that includes $181 million guaranteed.
As a result, Purdy got $100 million guaranteed at signing, which included a $40 million signing bonus, his 2025 and 2026 compensation, and part of his 2027 compensation, with the rest of the latter year being guaranteed next April.
Kittle, on the other hand, got a four-year, $76.4 million deal to reset the tight end market, topping Trey McBride’s extension with the Arizona Cardinals by $100,000 per year. It seems likely that the star will now finish his career in San Francisco, with this deal taking him through his age-36 season.
Warner was also rewarded with a market-setting contract, earning a three-year, $63 million deal that included over $56 million in total guarantees. His new extension should take him through the majority of his prime, keeping a key cog of the defense intact.
The 49ers have been good about getting to extensions earlier this offseason, as all three deals were signed by the start of organized team activities (OTAs), resulting in minimal distractions heading into the bigger part of the offseason program.
Now, with the major pieces of business done, the 49ers could look to other extensions, with two candidates coming to mind: wide receiver Jauan Jennings and offensive tackle Colton McKivitz.
Jennings, entering his age-28 season, is in the final year of a two-year, $15.4 million extension he signed last offseason. He enjoyed a breakout 2024 campaign, catching 77 passes for 975 yards and six touchdowns as the 49ers dealt with injuries at the receiver position.
San Francisco has looked to go younger this offseason overall, and has drafted Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins in recent drafts. But, Jennings’s tenacity and play style in the slot are unique on this team, and the 49ers have clearly valued that over the past several seasons.
If the 49ers are looking to keep Jennings, another two-to-three-year deal would make sense, keeping the slot wideout in the Bay Area for the remainder of his prime. However, Jennings could very well seek a multi-year deal worth at least $10 million annually on the open market, given how wide receiver contracts have skyrocketed in recent years.
I don’t know that the 49ers are willing to go that high, and Jennings has a prime opportunity to step up again in 2025 with the way the receiver room currently looks.
McKivitz, on the other hand, is in the final year of his contract. He signed a one-year, $7 million extension last offseason to add to his two-year, $4.6 million deal from 2023.
Now, McKivitz hasn’t been spectacular or anything during his career with the 49ers. But, he’s become a serviceable right tackle, and the NFL lacks those. We saw how Jaylon Moore got a three-year, $45 million deal after starting just five games in 2024. The market for offensive linemen is there.
San Francisco may view that price point as too high for McKivitz. But, they don’t really have a future plan at offensive tackle currently. There’s no true suitor to eventually replace him or Trent Williams on the roster, and the latter could very well retire after the 2025 season.
Stability along the offensive line is key, so the 49ers may push to get a deal done before the start of the season to keep McKivitz in the Red and Gold for more than just 2025.
San Francisco has done a good amount of business already this offseason. Will they knock out some more ahead of the season? Or will they roll the dice on a few 2026 key free agents?