Some insight from Niners beat writer Matt Maiocco on why this deal made sense for both parties:
49ers, Gore (and, yes, Rosenhaus) handled it perfectly
There was never any question that logic pointed toward the 49ers and Frank Gore agreeing to a long-term extension before the start of the season.
But when agent Drew Rosenhaus told the 49ers his client would not sign unless he became the highest-paid player in the game, it created a little doubt about how smoothly this would happen.
In the end, the right thing was done. The 49ers gave a nice contract to a kid who needed the money. The 49ers also were able to accomplish this deal because they were so diligent with the salary cap the past two years. Gore's new deal is a reported five-year contract worth more than $28 million, according to ESPN.com.
The 49ers could have played hard ball. They essentially had Gore's rights for the next three seasons. But, in the NFL, what goes around comes around. If the 49ers had decided to use their leverage to force Gore to sign a deal below market value, it undoubtedly would have had negative effects in the future with other players.
The organization had already spent nearly $40 million in guaranteed money for the likes of Nate Clements, Michael Lewis, Aubrayo Franklin, Tully Banta-Cain and Ashley Lelie. It was imperative that they take care of their best player - and the player who was most responsible for the team's surprising success in 2006.
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Gore has overcome a lot to get to this point. His was enrolled in special-education classes in English and math during his first two years of high school because of a learning disability. If he had continued on that path, he would not have qualified for college. His high school coach and mother fought for him to be included in the regular classes. Then, Gore had to work extra hours to make up the credit.
When he made it to the University of Miami (Fla.) as a heralded running back, his career never got going because of major injuries to both knees. Of course, there were doubts whether he would ever be able to play at the next level.
All the while, he faced hardships at home. His mother, Liz, was battling kidney disease. She still awaits a transplant.
When he made it to the NFL, a lot of pundits criticized the 49ers for selecting Gore in the third round. Sports Illustrated called Gore the most overrated back in the 2005 draft.
He played the season with torn labrums in both shoulders. He underwent two extensive surgeries in the offseason to correct the problem. Then, he showed enough progress in training camp to allow the 49ers to trade Kevan Barlow to the Jets for a fourth-round draft pick. (Barlow's playing time decreased throughout the season with the Jets; he was released in the offseason and has yet to be signed.)
Last season, Gore started 16 games. It was his first complete season since his senior year of high school. Because of his history of injuries, Gore could not take the risk of playing in another NFL game without getting a new contract.
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Gore was scheduled to make the minimum salary for a third-year player this season. After setting the team's single-season rushing record, he needed to capitalize on his record-setting season and sign a long-term extension to get some guaranteed money.
Fortunately, the 49ers were willing to pay good money for his services. Fortunately, Gore's agent was willing to get the deal accomplished.
Things never got contentious. There was never any threat of a holdout. The 49ers did the right thing, and demonstrated a willingness to reward a player for a job well-done.
In the end, the 49ers and Gore (and, yes, Rosenhaus) handled the situation perfectly.
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