The 49ers on Tuesday retained the contract rights to linebacker Michael Wilhoite and guard Jordan Devey with one-year tenders.
The 49ers also announced the signing of scheduled free agent linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong to a one-year contract extension.
Wilhoite, who started 28 games over the past two seasons, received a contract tender of $1.671 million as a restricted free agent. The qualifying offer enables the 49ers the right of first refusal if he signs an offer sheet with another team.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
[MAIOCCO: 49ers 2016 free agent tracker]
The free agent signing period opens Wednesday at 1 p.m. (PT). If the 49ers do not match any offer sheet for Wilhoite, they would not receive any compensation.
Wilhoite started all 16 games in 2014, taking over for NaVorro Bowman, who missed the entire season with a knee injury. He remained in the starting lineup last season after Bowman returned to action due to the vacancy that was created with Patrick Willis’ retirement. Wilhoite ranked second on the 49ers last season with 86 tackles.
The 49ers also tendered Devey, an exclusive rights free agent. He has no outside negotiating power. Devey started the first nine games for the 49ers at right guard before Andrew Tiller replaced him in the starting lineup. The 49ers acquired Devey on Aug. 18 from the New England Patriots in exchange for tight end Asante Cleveland.
San Francisco 49ers
Armstrong returns with the 49ers after appearing in five games last season. The 49ers claimed Armstrong off waivers from the Raiders on Nov. 26. He appeared mostly on special teams, where he recorded three tackles. Armstrong entered the NFL with the St. Louis Rams in 2013. After playing four games with the Rams in 2014, he went to the Raiders, where he played 21 games in ’14 and ’15 before he was waived.