Left tackle Joe Staley decided 2019 wouldn’t be his final season. The 49ers decided he wouldn’t suit up for another team after his contract with San Francisco ended. They signed him Wednesday to a two-year extension, and the contract details reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoporrt show just how important the 12-year veteran is to the 49ers.
Staley’s $12.25 million average annual value is the eighth-highest among left tackles, and his $13.5 million salary in 2019 is the 10th-highest.
Matt Barrows of the Athletic reported the extension included $17 million guaranteed.
This is a good deal for both sides given that Staley is still among the NFL’s best tackles. General manager John Lynch made it clear he wanted Staley to finish his career in San Francisco.
Even as he enters his age 35 season, Staley’s shown he’s still worth top-10 tackle money. The 49ers were unlikely to want him to hit the open market, so inking him to an extension before the 2019 campaign removes the issue from the table. It’s also a signal to the younger 49ers that the team will take care of its veterans – a potentially important factor when it comes to re-signing players or acquiring free agents.
