Why Deommodore Lenoir’s new 49ers contract timing works for both parties – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

The 49ers’ defensive backfield looks to be in good shape for the foreseeable future.

San Francisco made sure cornerback Deommodore Lenoir didn’t get away a high priority. And in a move that was set to become official Wednesday, the 49ers and Lenoir agreed to a long-term contract extension, a source told NBC Sports Bay Area.

The deal is worth $92 million over five years, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who first reported news of the contract agreement.

Lenoir arrived on the scene as a fifth-round pick (No. 172 overall) of the 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft.

After an up-and-down rookie season, Lenoir has steadily improved over the past three seasons. He moved into a starting role in 2022 and has been a solid player ever since.

Lenoir has taken his production to a whole other level this season. An argument could be made that Lenoir has been the 49ers’ most consistent defensive player this season.

He has allowed just 35 receptions on 56 targets for 346 yards through nine games, per PFF.

Lenoir has not allowed a touchdown while coming up with two interceptions and four passes defensed.

It looked like Lenoir played so well this season that he could end up pricing himself out of the 49ers’ market.

Instead, the timing worked out for the sides to come together on a deal midseason before he was scheduled for unrestricted free agency.

Lenoir eliminates the risk that comes with playing the rest of the season. After all, an injury at the end of the year could have severely limited his earning power as a free agent.

And the 49ers are taking some risk, but signing Lenoir to a contract that comes ahead of the free agent market. If they had waited until March, the price could have been much higher.

Lenoir was considered an important part of the 49ers’ offseason plan, and the 49ers didn’t wait until the offseason to make a move.

The 49ers are expected to sign quarterback Brock Purdy to a contract that makes him one of the highest paid players in the NFL.

Other 49ers scheduled for unrestricted free agency after the season are cornerback Charvarius Ward, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga and guard Aaron Banks.

The move signals the difficulty for the 49ers to keep Ward beyond this season. Ward, who was selected to the NFC Pro Bowl team last season, will likely cash in with a big-money deal in March.

Locking Lenoir to a long-term contract means he’ll likely be paired with cornerback Renardo Green for several seasons to come.

Green, who the 49ers selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, has earned significant playing time and looks to be a long-term starter.

The 49ers are also set at the safety positions with second-year player Ji’Ayir Brown and rookie Malik Mustapha.

General manager John Lynch has a difficult task ahead of him to manage rising labor costs and keep the 49ers at a championship-contending level in future seasons.

Keeping Lenoir is a big step in that direction.

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