NFL rumors: 49ers decline Solomon Thomas’ fifth-year contract option

After drafting Solomon Thomas with the No. 3 overall pick back in 2017, the 49ers appear to be giving up on a long-term future with the defensive lineman.

San Francisco declined Thomas' fifth-year option on his rookie contract Friday, league sources told NFL Media's Tom Pelissero.

The #49ers are declining the fifth-year option on DL Solomon Thomas, source said.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 1, 2020

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The Stanford product has 73 tackles and six sacks in his three seasons with the Niners, but hasn't lived up to the hype as general manager John Lynch's first draft pick.

Especially after the selection of Javon Kinlaw at No. 14 overall in this year's draft, the writing appeared to be on the wall for Thomas.

However, NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco says that it's a possibility that the two sides could still work out a contract for that fifth year, but well below the $12M option number.

The fifth-year option for #49ers DT Solomon Thomas would be $12.321 million for the 2021 season. That’s a non-starter, of course. But don’t rule out the possibility that both sides would want to keep the union going for at least five seasons at a price that works for both sides. https://t.co/pbGJaUbrFr
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) April 27, 2020