San Francisco 49ers: 5 Players Facing a Make-or-Break Season in 2016
By Peter Panacy
No. 5: Safety Antoine Bethea
The first player on this list may not necessarily belong here because of overwhelmingly poor production or failing to meet expectations.
Veteran safety Antoine Bethea has enjoyed a relatively successful tenure with San Francisco since joining the team as a free agent in 2014. But last year, Bethea’s efforts were cut short by a season-ending pectoral injury that limited him to just seven games.
And it didn’t help the 31-year-old defensive back posted a minus-1.3 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Bethea is entering the third year of a four-year, $21 million contract. But as is so often the case with lucrative, longer-term contracts, things change towards the tail end of deals.
Tack on San Francisco’s NFL Draft additions of guys like Jaquiski Tartt, Jimmie Ward, Will Redmond, Rashard Robinson and others, and it’s easy to see how Bethea could easily be pushed out of the picture after 2016.
He’ll have to do more than just have a solid season. Bethea will need to prove, beyond a doubt, the 49ers can’t afford to let him go.
A similar thought could be said about veteran outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks, but his fate beyond 2016 seems already determined. He won’t be in Santa Clara a year from now.
Why He Stays
The 49ers probably won’t be worried about Bethea’s cap hit. And his presence in the locker room, especially among a young cast of defensive backs, is pretty useful.
With so many other areas of need in development, the Niners may just look to ride out Bethea’s contract until it expires after the 2017 season.
Why He Goes
San Francisco is going through a youth movement, and Bethea — who turns 32 years old at the end of July — doesn’t fit the bill.
The Niners can move pieces around their secondary to ensure they have adequate components within the backfield. And the saved money from his contract wouldn’t be bad either.
Next: No. 4: Safety Eric Reid