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The 49ers and running back Jeff Wilson Jr. on Tuesday agreed to a one-year contract that kept the team’s leading rusher from this season off the restricted free agent market. Details of his contract reported by Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area gave some clues as to why the former undrafted free agent chose not to explore the market.
Had Wilson taken advantage of his restricted free agency according to Maiocco, the 49ers would’ve placed an original-round tender on Wilson that would’ve given him a $2.133 million salary for the 2021 season.
Maiocco reported Wilson’s one-year deal comes with $2.05 million in guaranteed money and an additional $1.55 million in incentives.
Wilson opted for the guaranteed money that falls short of the RFA tender he would’ve gotten, but comes with incentives that could put him well above that $2.133 million number. It’s a good middle ground between a bet on himself and taking advantage of his value to the 49ers.
With signs pointing to Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon leaving the Bay Area in the offseason, having a productive player like Wilson back in the fold was important for the stability of the 49ers’ backfield that has a chance to be one of the NFL’s best if players can stay healthy.
Wilson is entering his fourth season after joining the 49ers as an undrafted free agent out of North Texas following the 2018 draft. Last season he had a career-year and led the team with 600 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns and 10 total touchdowns.