The 49ers’ free agent moves have followed a theme. They’ve all put roster continuity above everything else.
It started with the long-term contract for Arik Armstead. That not only kept the defensive lineman and versatile piece of the rotation in place, it also added the salary cap flexibility to continue retaining pieces from last season.
The DeForest Buckner trade followed the Armstead signing – a move that on its surface contradicts the continuity motif, but actually contributed to it once the ensuing dominoes fell.
Buckner was due for a massive extension that would’ve sapped all of the 49ers’ minimal cap space, effectively ending their ability to bring in additional free agents like Armstead and free safety Jimmie Ward.
Ward was re-signed on a three-year deal worth up to $28.5 million. That guaranteed the 49ers will have their entire secondary returning a year after leading the league in passing yards allowed.
They also brought back defensive end Ronald Blair on a one-year deal as well, ensuring San Francisco would get arguably their top reserve defensive lineman back.
The desire to retain their free agents didn’t only fall on the defensive side. General manager John Lynch also took steps to bring back players from the offensive side.
The 49ers gave second-round restricted free agent tenders to wide receiver Kendrick Bourne and running back Matt Breida. The early-round tenders will mean those players get paid well and ensure with relative certainty that those offensive weapons will return in 2020. They’ll receive a second-round pick if Bourne or Breida sign elsewhere.
Reserve offensive linemen Shon Coleman and Ben Garland received one-year contracts as well. Coleman missed last season with a dislocated ankle and broken fibula, but he’ll compete for the swing tackle job. Garland was a key member of the offensive line down the stretch after filling in for Weston Richburg, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 14.
In a non-free agent move, San Francisco restructured running back Jerick McKinnon’s deal to make him cheaper to keep on the roster into the offseason program. He missed the last two seasons with a knee injury.
A few free agents remain unsigned, including linebacker Elijah Lee who did receive a restricted free agent tender. Anthony Zettel, Damontre Moore and Sheldon Day are the three members of the defensive line who have not re-signed. Wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Jordan Matthews, along with cornerbacks Jason Verrett and Dontae Johnson are also without new deals.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if this trend continues for the 49ers and they scoop up a couple more of their free agents. Through the first day of the new league year they’re on track to bring back their entire starting offense save for Sanders, and their entire starting defense minus Buckner. Having 20 of 22 starters returning from a Super Bowl team, along with two first-round picks is a pretty good position to be in.
The 49ers haven’t had a splashy free agency, but they’ve had a plan to keep their roster together, and every step they’ve taken in the early portion of the 2020 league year has gone toward accomplishing that goal.
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