Credit: Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE

We all knew it was going to happen and the San Francisco 49ers made it official on Friday by placing the franchise tag on safety Dashon Goldson.  The safety had an outstanding season in 2011 with a career-high six interceptions to go with 67 tackles and one forced fumble.  The franchise tag means Goldson is signed for one-year which will cost the 49ers $6.2 million, a significant raise for the safety who made $2 million in 2011.

The franchise tag is non-exclusive meaning another team could offer Goldson a contract starting on March 13, which the 49ers have the rights to match.  If they don’t match the offer and Goldson signs with another team, the 49ers would receive two first-round draft picks.  I doubt any team will offer Goldson a contract knowing the 49ers covet the safety and would most likely match the contract.  Also, giving up two first-round draft picks is a huge price to pay for Goldson.

“Dashon has been a 49er since we selected him in the fourth round of the 2007 draft. By using the franchise tag on Dashon, it affords us the opportunity to continue to work on a long-term contract with him, while also ensuring he will be a 49er for a sixth season, in 2012.” Trent Baalke

Goldson was one of many defensive players who helped the 49ers win the NFC West and advanced one game shy of the Super Bowl.  He earned his first Pro Bowl honors in 2011 and had an interception in the playoff game against the Saints.  In the last three seasons Goldson had 11 interceptions, the most by a 49ers player during that stretch.

The 49ers will continue working with Goldson and his agent to extend the deal to a long-term contract, hoping to lock up Goldson in San Francisco for years to come.  Last year GM Trent Baalke offered Goldson a five-year, $25 million contract but he rejected it thinking he could find a better offer.  Goldson did not receive a better offer and signed a one-year deal to stay with the 49ers in 2011.

Recently, Goldson fired super-agent Drew Rosenhaus and hired an agency that represents multiple 49ers players.  With Rosenhaus’ history and reputation as an agent who will do anything to get his client the biggest contract possible, I doubt Goldson would sign a long-term contact with the 49ers after receiving the franchise tag.  All you have to do is look at last years rejected offer which was influenced by Rosenhaus.  With Goldson hiring an agent who has worked with the 49ers before, it is only a matter of time before a long-term deal is announced.

With Ahmad Brooks and now Goldson under contract, that leaves Alex Smith, Carlos Rogers, Adam Snyder and Joshua Morgan as the remaining important players the 49ers must re-sign.