The San Francisco 49ers are working to make several key decisions regarding free agents this offseason. Several of the team's top players are either finishing up their current contracts or entering the final year of their deals and will be looking for an extension. With many considered "must sign" players, who stays and who goes?
According to ESPN.com, Anquan Boldin stays. The veteran wide receiver had a strong season as Colin Kaepernick's top target without Michael Crabtree on the field. He put up 1,179 yards and seven touchdowns on a one year contract and would prefer to sign something long-term. So what is a fair price for a receiver who will turn 34 next season? According to CSNBayArea.com, the 49ers could offer him a two-year contract with $6 million in guaranteed money. The team understands the need to re-sign Boldin and plans to make it happen.
With Boldin almost a lock to return, where does that leave Crabtree and Kaepernick who are both entering the final years of their contracts? The 49ers will try and avoid what happened to the Baltimore Ravens after they failed to sign Joe Flacco to a contract extension before his deal ran out and cost themselves a lot of money.
The website reports that both players are expected to receive new contracts this offseason as the 49ers have already approached Crabtree about extending his current contract. Crabtree will want big money which could make a deal very difficult to negotiation. He is coming off a season where he sat out most games with an Achilles tear. While that likely will not play into his negotiations, it is something to watch out for.
While signing Crabtree could be tough, agreeing on a deal for Kaepernick might be the worst. Losing the NFC Championship game will likely play into the determining of his price tag, but the quarterback has two-straight NFC championship games and a Super Bowl visit to his resume. Is that enough to earn top 5 money? The NFL Network expects Kaepernick to sign a deal in the ballpark of $17 million this season which would sandwich him between Eli Manning and Tony Romo.
The 49ers must get these deals done this offseason considering next year will also have its complications. Running back Frank Gore is prepared to play out the final year of his deal, as will Aldon Smith and Mike Iupati.
