The San Francisco 49ers do not seem done extending some of their own players according to an insider. Matt Maiocco of NBC Bay Area Sports wrote on X, “It’s my understanding Colton McKivitz is not the only player the 49ers have been working to extend before the start of free agency. I’m not hearing of anything huge at this point — thinking along the lines of a couple of veteran role players.” The 49ers have already signed right tackle Colton McKivitz to a one-year extension, and we will explore other candidates on the roster for extensions.
It's my understanding Colton McKivitz is not the only player the 49ers have been working to extend before the start of free agency. I'm not hearing of anything huge at this point — thinking along the lines of a couple of veteran role players.
— Matt Maiocco (Threads @maiocconbcs) (@MaioccoNBCS) March 8, 2024
Brandon Aiyuk Top Priority For Extension For San Francisco 49ers
General Manager John Lynch has gone on record speaking with reporters at the NFL combine saying, “And then he’s got a flare for making plays when it matters most. And he served us very well as a franchise. And I think we’ve got a nice track record of extending the players that are important to us and Brandon’s a guy we want to keep around for a long time.” Brandon Aiyuk sounds like someone who is extremely high up on the priority list. The San Francisco 49ers cannot see a version of themselves heading to the Super Bowl without Brandon Aiyuk in it.
If the San Francisco 49ers are to come to an agreement with Aiyuk, you can expect a huge deal. According to Spotrac, Aiyuk can expect a contract in the range of 4 years for $96 million dollars.
Aaron Banks A Prime Candidate For An Extension
Aaron Banks is entering the final year of his rookie deal, making him a prime candidate for a contract extension this offseason. Banks was not a starter his rookie year, sitting behind a veteran learning the ropes. During his sophomore campaign, Banks entrenched himself in the starting lineup at left guard lining up alongside Trent Williams. According to Pro Football Focus, Banks did not allow a sack this season and he received an overall grade of 54.9.
The San Francisco 49ers do not wish to let Aaron Banks become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. This will force the San Francisco 49ers to either place the franchise tag on Banks, or get into a bidding war with competitors as he hits the open market. Much will depend on his health and performance this upcoming season if he does not get an extension this offseason. Either way the 2021 NFL draft second-round pick can expect a hefty pay raise if not this offseason then next.
Talanoa Hufanga Might Be Up Next For Big Payday
Talanoa Hufanga suffered a gruesome torn ACL injury midway through the 2023 season. Hufanga was coming off of an All-Pro campaign in 2022. The 2021 NFL draft 5th-round pick is a consistently hard worker, and had it not been for the injury an extension this offseason might have been considered a no-brainer.
Hufanga is in the same situation as Aaron Banks, as he is entering the final year of his rookie contract. If the San Francisco 49ers choose not to extend Hufanga this offseason, then they will again have to choose between a franchise tag or a bidding war next offseason. Hufanga must show that he is fully recoverd from his injury, and if he returns to his old self he should expect a big contract coming his way.
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