49ers lose Mike McGlinchey to Broncos in NFL free agency

The 49ers indeed are going to lose their starting right tackle, Mike McGlinchey, in NFL free agency. He’s heading to the Broncos on a massive deal.

Offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey is going to get paid a lot of money.

It just won’t be with the San Francisco 49ers.

The Niners’ top pick from the 2018 NFL Draft isn’t going to stick around in the Bay Area, which was the expectation all along heading into the 2023 offseason.

And, with the opening wave of NFL free agency kicking off on March 13, two days before the official beginning of the league new year, it didn’t take long for McGlinchey’s new destination to be announced.

Mike McGlinchey leaving 49ers for Broncos in NFL free agency

Early on March 13, reports surfaced that the Chicago Bears were closing in on McGlinchey’s services, according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini.

That seemed to be a realistic situation. Chicago has plenty of cap space and should be eager to turn around what was an ugly three-win season a year ago.

However, regardless of how close the two sides were, the Denver Broncos somehow managed to swoop in and grab San Francisco’s longtime starter at right tackle and sign him to a lucrative deal, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport:

According to Rapoport, McGlinchey will be receiving a five-year deal worth up to $87.5 million. $50 million of that will be guaranteed.

Great for McGlinchey, and it’s a number the 49ers wouldn’t have likely paid to retain him.

Read More: 49ers NFL free agency tracker: Who’s coming, going in 2023?

In the interim, the Niners seem poised to start backup offensive lineman Colton McKivitz in McGlinchey’s stead. Just before NFL free agency began, San Francisco extended McKivitz on a two-year deal to ensure at least some continuity for the offensive line.

McGlinchey, meanwhile, heads to Denver where he’ll be tasked with protecting an old 49ers nemesis, quarterback Russell Wilson.