Why Deommodore Lenoir’s new contract timing with the 49ers works for both parties – NBC Sports Bay Area and California

The 49ers defensive backfield appears to be in good shape for the foreseeable future.

San Francisco made it a point to make sure cornerback Deommodore Lenoir didn’t escape. And in a move that was expected to become official Wednesday, the 49ers and Lenoir agreed to a long-term contract extension, a source told NBC Sports Bay Area.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who first reported the contract agreement, the deal is worth $92 million over five years.

Lenoir was drafted as the 49ers’ fifth-round pick (No. 172 overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft.

After an up-and-down rookie season, Lenoir has steadily improved over the past three seasons. He moved into the starting lineup in 2022 and has been a solid player since then.

Lenoir has taken his production to a completely different level this season. You could say that Lenoir has been the 49ers’ most consistent defensive player this season.

According to PFF, he has allowed just 35 receptions on 56 targets for 346 yards in nine games.

Lenoir didn’t allow a touchdown while he had two interceptions and four passes defensed.

It looked like Lenoir was playing so well this season that he might pull out of the 49ers’ market.

Instead, the timing was right for the two teams to negotiate a contract midway through the season before he was set to become an unrestricted free agent.

Lenoir eliminates the risk of playing the rest of the season. Finally, an injury late in the year could have significantly limited his earning potential as a free agent.

And the 49ers are taking some risk but signing Lenoir to a contract that predates the free-agent market. If they had waited until March the price could have been much higher.

Lenoir was considered an important part of the 49ers’ offseason plan, and the 49ers didn’t wait until the offseason to make a move.

The 49ers are expected to sign quarterback Brock Purdy to a contract that will make him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL.

Other 49ers scheduled for unrestricted free agency after the season include cornerback Charvarius Ward, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga and guard Aaron Banks.

The move shows how difficult it is for the 49ers to keep Ward beyond this season. Ward, who was named to the NFC Pro Bowl team last season, will likely cash in on a big deal in March.

Tying Lenoir to a long-term contract means he will likely partner with cornerback Renardo Green for multiple seasons.

Green, who the 49ers selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, has accrued plenty of playing time and appears to be a long-term starter.

The 49ers also have second-year Ji’Ayir Brown and freshman Malik Mustapha at the safety positions.

General manager John Lynch faces the difficult task of managing rising salary costs and keeping the 49ers at a championship level in the coming seasons.

Retaining Lenoir is a big step in that direction.

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