The San Francisco 49ers have spent most of the offseason stressing the importance of adding another top wide receiver. Head coach Jim Harbaugh was not satisfied in the amount of offensive weapons for quarterback Colin Kaepernick and wants to secure a solid corps for 2014. A key member of that group is Michael Crabtree, but how much longer will the wide receiver be around as contract negotiations stall out?
The 49ers made moves over the weekend that cloud the future of Crabtree who is entering a contract year with San Francisco. First, the team traded for top Buffalo Bills receiver Stevie Johnson, giving up a conditional fourth-round pick for him. Johnson had three-straight seasons of over 1,000 yards receiving before being limited to just 597 yards in 2013 thanks to quarterback issues. Johnson is expected to be a top threat for Kaepernick alongside Anquan Boldin and Crabtree.
San Francisco also drafted Bruce Ellington in the fourth round who could develop into a star over the next few seasons. The addition of both receivers gives San Francisco a lot of security with offensive depth as both players are no slouches when it comes to talent. But what does it mean for Crabtree?
The San Francisco Bee is reporting that the trade for Johnson means a Crabtree extension is not happening. Johnson is signed to a deal for the next three years that is cap friendly and much lower than what Crabtree is looking to make. He is signed through 2016, with a cap hit of just over $6 million. Of course Crabtree is the better receiver of the two, but sometimes money speaks louder than talent. San Francisco did not trade for Johnson to make him a rotational player. He will see plenty of playing time sooner rather than later. The same goes for Ellington.
The addition of the receivers also shows that the 49ers are prioritizing a contract extension for Kaepernick over Crabtree. The quarterback is expected to sign a very large deal that will eat up a lot of cap space. There is only so much money that can go around and from a business standpoint, it makes no sense to give Crabtree a deal now. The 49ers will let him play out his deal, test the market and find out his real worth.
When healthy, Crabtree could be the 49ers best receiver. If he proves that in 2014, his future in San Francisco is secure. However, right now the team is showing no signs of offering a new deal so he needs to prove that more than ever. If Johnson struggles then things change, but right now Crabtree could be fighting for a roster spot.
