5 49ers players now in line for extensions after Deebo Samuel got paid
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers right tackle Mike McGlinchey
While Emmanuel Moseley might be a no-brainer, possibly extending right tackle Mike McGlinchey is a bit trickier. Yet there are reasons why San Francisco might be wise dishing out an extension at some point this season.
The 49ers opted to pick up their 2018 first-round draftee’s fifth-year option for 2022 ahead of the 2021 season, yet McGlinchey suffered a torn quad halfway through the year that limited him to just eight games. Known primarily for his run-blocking efforts and not so much for pass protection, the fallout from last season’s injury and subsequent recovery could prompt the Niners to wait and see how he looks over the course of 2022.
Over the Cap valued McGlinchey’s 2021 season at $5.9 million, yet his fully guaranteed fifth-year option will command $10.88 million. Considering his good-not-great career up to this point, it’s likely McGlinchey won’t be commanding too much more than what he’s getting right now.
That might be the smart play, as the 2023 NFL Draft isn’t expected to be awfully deep with top-caliber offensive linemen, and San Francisco is already trying to figure out long-term solutions at both center and guard this season.
Trying to figure out a replacement for McGlinchey next year might compound any O-line issues the 49ers already have, meaning his own extension should be warranted.