Vance McDonald will be sticking around the Bay Area for quite a while.
The San Francisco 49ers signed their tight end to a five-year extension, the team announced on its official website. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, McDonald's contract will pay him $35 million over those five years and contains $16 million in guarantees.
49ers signing free-agent-to-be TE Vance McDonald to a 5-year, $35 million extension that includes $16M gtd, sources tell @caplannfl and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 10, 2016
"Vance has shown consistent growth throughout his four-year career and his production this season is the result of his dedication and hard work," general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement. "We believe he has only scratched the surface of what he will be able to accomplish in his career. Vance is a tremendous ambassador for the 49ers, and his passion for helping others provides a wonderful example for this organization. We look forward to his continued contributions to this organization, both on and off the field."
McDonald's $35 million total contract value is the 11th-largest deal among tight ends league-wide, while his $7 million average annual value ranks 14th and his $16 million guarantee is tied for 10th. For a player that has only 64 catches in his four-year career and a season-high of 30 (set last year), it's a sizable deal to be sure.
McDonald has been on the field for a career-high 65 percent of offensive snaps this season, but he still has not been all that involved in the team's attack. It would seem, given the contract, that San Francisco has bigger plans for him in the future.
The 1-11 49ers will be looking for their second win of the season when they face the Jets at home on Sunday.
