NFL free agency update: 49ers re-signing linebacker Brock Coyle
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers brought back one of their own from 2017, re-signing inside linebacker Brock Coyle to a three-year deal, as announced by general manager John Lynch and on the team’s website.
The San Francisco 49ers didn’t want to let linebacker Brock Coyle test the free-agent market, which officially kicked off on Mar. 14.
So they signed him to a three-year deal.
General manager John Lynch first announced the transaction on his Twitter page, and it was later confirmed by the team’s website:
Welcome back @BrockCoyle56. Fired up to have you back in the fold.
— John Lynch (@JohnLynch49ers) March 14, 2018
“Brock stepped up big for us last season when we experienced some adversity at the linebacker position,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “He’s a selfless guy that does everything the right way. We’ve always known Brock to be a guy we can count on and it was great to see him play the way he did when given the opportunity.”
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Coyle came over from the Seattle Seahawks a year ago, primarily intended to be a special teams ace.
The 27 year old ended up starting 10 games over the course of 2017, though, primarily in relief of oft-injured linebacker Reuben Foster. Over that stretch, Coyle recorded 36 tackles, a forced fumble and half a sack.
Coyle’s Pro Football Focus grade of 41.3 isn’t anything special. And he surely struggled early with the transition from being a special teamer to regular starter.
Foster’s off-field legal situations surely influenced this decision. It’s likely San Francisco loses Foster to at least a six-game suspension, making the roster move a good one.
Especially considering a thin free-agent market at inside linebacker.
Contract Details
Not much is known yet, outside the three-year deal announced on the team website and what NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported below:
The #49ers signed LB Brock Coyle to a 3-year extension worth $8.5M base with a max value of $11.5M, source said. He gets a signing bonus of $2.1M and $4.1M guaranteed.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2018
Coyle counted for a total of $1.45 million against the 2017 salary cap, with $1 million of that fully guaranteed.
A torn labrum in his shoulder, which required offseason surgery, likely keeps him out of offseason activities until training camp begins mid summer.
The cost might be a bit high, for these concerns, but a low-end $2.8 million annual average salary isn’t bad to look at.
National Reaction
He was the one FA I figured the #49ers would bring back. Struggled early when first put into a full-time role, but more than held his own after the bye. Good Reuben Foster insurance. https://t.co/u9v7jhc4Ec
— Jeff Deeney (@PFF_Jeff) March 14, 2018
Brock Coyle was an important piece for the #49ers to bring back. He's very good on special teams and played well when he was called upon to start in 2017. Especially important with Foster's situation up in the air.
— Al Sacco (@AlSacco49) March 14, 2018
Grade
It’s not a splashy move, by any means. And it’s possible the Niners could have lured in more-talented inside backers through free agency.
Coyle’s injury status also casts some doubts, but he’s already familiar with the defensive scheme under coordinator Robert Saleh, who also worked the same defense with the Seahawks. And San Francisco clearly saw something in Coyle last year to give him plenty of starting time.
The contract might be a bit on the high side, but Coyle is vital insurance for the Niners at this time.
Next: FanSided's 2018 NFL free agency tracker
Grade: B-