San Francisco 49ers: Ranking 5 best moves from 2020 offseason

No. 3: 49ers re-signing Jimmie Ward

The biggest challenge facing San Francisco was the need to make big re-signings while staying under the cap. Armstead got a big deal while tight end George Kittle is awaiting what will be a big extension.

But the really underrated move that gave the Niners some breathing room was the cheap extension of safety Jimmie Ward.

Ward excelled in the 49ers’ revamped defense, and there was some concern the talented defender could be lured away on a big deal from a team desperate for secondary help.

Instead, Ward signed on for a cheap three-year, $28.5 million deal (perhaps partly due to Ward’s durability concerns).

In the current situation caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, continuity is going to be more important than ever before. Thanks in part to this contract, the team is able to return 19 of its 22 starters on offense and defense from 2019.

This, more than anything, can be the key to going one better in 2020. Ward’s extension is an underrated move that helped facilitate that.