San Francisco 49ers: Latest News & Rumors Before 2016 NFL Free Agency
By Peter Panacy
49ers Likely to Tender Restricted Free Agent Linebacker Michael Wilhoite
Citing a source, Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reported the 49ers plan on tendering restricted free agent inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite in the next few days.
#49ers have not yet tendered RFA Michael Wilhoite, but they are likely to do so in coming days, per sources.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) March 4, 2016
Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area broke down how the tendering would work:
"The expected one-year tender of $1.671 million will give the 49ers right of first refusal if another team signs Wilhoite to an offer sheet. The 49ers would receive no compensation if the team declines to match another team’s offer. If the 49ers tender him at $2.553 million, the 49ers would receive a second-round pick as compensation if he were to sign with another team and the 49ers declined to match."
Wilhoite was tabbed as the team’s starting inside linebacker alongside fellow ILB NaVorro Bowman after the sudden retirements of Patrick Willis and Chris Borland prior to the 2015 season.
Wilhoite struggled in his first full year as an actual starter and finished with a minus-16.5 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus — the worst on the Niners defense.
With a relatively deep draft class at the position, the 49ers could be looking to lock up Wilhoite for at least another year while they look to solve a potential starting job this offseason.
The 29-year-old veteran earned $660,000 in 2016.
Next: Possible Free Agents on 49ers Radar