Frank Gore Signs $21 Million Contract With 49ers

Tensions had been rising between the two sides since Gore announced his intention to holdout from training camp until the team awarded him a raise in late July. The oft-injured 28-year-old was set to enter the final year of a five-year, $28.012 million deal that would see him earn a base salary of $2.9 million, in addition a $2 million roster bonus.

Though Gore repeatedly stated that he wished to remain a 49er for life, reports from 49ers camp as recent as last week indicated that talks had eroded to the point of the two-time Pro Bowler verbally lashing out at assistant coaches and teammates due to deepening frustrations. Thus, while the timing of the deal may seem a bit odd, the news likely comes as a relief to a franchise already dealing with a multitude of other offseason issues as players acclimate to rookie head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Gore is expected to play this season under his current contract, but the team has indicated they will look at ways to possibly extend his deal. Gore is coming off a hip fracture that cut short his 2010 season, but he is reportedly back to 100%. Gore finds himself closing in on the 49ers franchise career rushing record. He is 650 yards behind Roger Craig for second place and 2,275 yards behind Joe Perry for number one.

Gore is an essential piece of the puzzle for the 49ers and head coach Jim Harbaugh has said as much. Early in the offseason harbaugh mentioned how the team would use Gore in a variety of ways in the rushing and passing game. Getting him back and worked into the offseason sooner rather than later is essential.

Gore is entering the final season of a four year contract extension signed following his record-setting 2006 season. Gore set the team’s single season rushing record and promptly agreed to a cap-friendly deal that reworked the final year of his rookie contract and added four years to it. Over the course of five seasons through 2011, Gore was expected to received $28.012 million. Not a bad deal for the team’s biggest offensive weapon the last five years.

Now, Gore is looking for a new deal before he hits free agency and before he injures himself again. Gore fractured his hip this past season, which only serves to remind him how short NFL careers can be. Accordingly, he is looking for some contract security heading into this season.