The San Francisco 49ers are re-signing center Jake Brendel to a four-year deal, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
San Francisco faced stiff competition from the New York Jets, who made a run at Brendel. While the Jets offered him more money, according to The Athletic‘s Zack Rosenblatt, Brendel still chose to return to the 49ers.
The #49ers are bringing back C Jake Brendel on a 4-year deal, source said. The #Jets made a push, but he's back in SF.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2023
The deal is worth up to $20 million with $8 million guaranteed per Rapoport.
It was a long journey for Brendel to a four-year contract as a starting center. He entered last year as a journeyman OL with only three career starts. He won the starting center battle with Daniel Brunskill and held that spot through the entire season and started all 20 games in the middle of the 49ers’ offensive line.
His contract indicates he’s San Francisco’s long-term solution at C, which means their need to draft a younger option is now eliminated. They also have Keith Ismael and Nick Zakelj on the roster who could potentially push for that job, but the four-year deal for Brendel means the job isn’t exactly in jeopardy.
With Brendel re-signed and Colton McKivitz signed as the likely replacement for Mike McGlinchey at right tackle, it appears San Francisco’s offensive line for 2023 has rounded into shape.
