Running back Jeff Wilson Jr.’s one-year extension with the 49ers provides him with more guaranteed money this year than he earned in his first three NFL seasons combined.
Wilson and the 49ers came to terms on the contract this week, more than a month before he would have become a restricted free agent. The 49ers announced the one-year deal on Tuesday.
Wilson would have received a $2.133 million non-guaranteed tender from the 49ers as a restricted free agent, a league source told NBC Sports Bay Area. He would have been allowed to negotiate with other teams.
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Instead, the sides came together on a deal that locks Wilson in with the 49ers on a fully guaranteed one-year, $2.05 million contract with incentives that could add another $1.55 million, the source said.
Wilson, 25, is set to be an unrestricted free agent after the 2021 season.
If he hits all his incentives, Wilson would stand to count $1.55 million of dead money against the 49ers’ 2022 cap, which could prompt the 49ers to further extend him with a multi-year contract.
The 49ers appear to be in good shape this year at running back with Wilson and Raheem Mostert under contract. Both are signed only through the upcoming season. Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon are scheduled to be free agents and do not appear likely to return to the club.
San Francisco 49ers
Wilson was the 49ers’ leading rusher last season. He gained 600 yards with seven touchdowns in 12 games with three starts. He is also a reliable receiver out of the backfield. Wilson caught 13 passes for 133 yard and three touchdowns.
He posted career-best numbers in Week 16 in a 20-12 victory over the Arizona Cardinals with 183 yards on 22 carries.
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Wilson originally signed with the 49ers in 2018 as an undrafted rookie from North Texas. He earned approximately $1.5 million over his first three years with the 49ers.
Wilson appeared in 28 games over his first three seasons. He has gained 971 yards and 11 touchdowns on 219 rushing attempts for a 4.4-yard average.