Trent Baalke spoke about Frank Gore’s potential contract extension this afternoon on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
Here’s what he said: “The best thing we can say is we’re doing everything we can to make Frank a 49er for life and whether that gets accomplished in the near future or not remains to be seen. But Frank’s a 49er. He’s a heck of a football player, he’s a heck of a young man, and he’s a leader. You can’t say enough good things about Frank.”
Let’s see if we can parse that quote.
We know Gore wants at least as much money as DeAngelo Williams because he’s the better running back.
When Baalke says it “remains to be seen” whether he gives Gore an extension, that could mean Baalke will only give him one before the regular season if Gore drops his demands.
If you’re with me that far, we can assume Gore won’t get an extension before the season begins because he won’t drop his demands.
It’s also fair to call the fact Gore won’t get an extension before the season a slap in Gore’s face, since the team awarded both Vernon Davis and Patrick Willis with contract extensions before last season. The 49ers set a precedent that they reward their top players, and now they’re not following through with Gore.
Is it a wise move for Baalke to let this linger into the season? I say no. He should either give Gore the money or trade him now. That’s the respectful thing to do.
Don’t be shocked if a trade does happen before the season, though. Baalke ended his quote by reminding people of the obvious: “Frank’s a 49er.”
That’s the exact thing Jim Harbaugh said about Taylor Mays a few days before the 49ers traded him.
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