Fooch’s update: The 49ers announced the signing. General manager John Lynch had this to say about the transaction.
“Laken is a very talented player who has improved consistently since joining the team one week before last year’s season opener. This offseason, his hard work and dedication paid off as he continued to progress and performed at a high level. We were confident we could work out a contract extension with Laken and we are fired up to get that done before training camp.”
The San Francisco 49ers entered the offseason seemingly with questions at both guard positions. It’s safe to say they have figured out one of them. The team is signing offensive guard Laken Tomlinson to a three-year contract worth up to $18 million, according to NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo. The deal reportedly includes $10 million in guarantees, and could keep Tomlinson with the 49ers through 2021.
This news comes just under two months after the team elected to not pick up Tomlinson’s fifth year option. The 49ers acquired Tomlinson in a trade last fall from the Detroit Lions, sending a 2019 fifth round pick to Detroit. Tomlinson was a first round pick of the Lions back in 2015, and the fifth year option transferred with his trade.
General manager John Lynch said at the time that they were still in discussion with Tomlinson about sticking around. He was getting first team reps at left guard in OTAs and minicamp, while veteran addition Mike Person split snaps with Joshua Garnett. The team also added Jonathan Cooper in free agency, and he will compete at guard in training camp. It’s safe to say the three of them are competing for one spot. Person likely ends up the primary interior backup, while Garnett and Cooper will compete for the starting position.