The San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a massive five-year, $92 million contract extension with star cornerback Deommodore Lenoir. This deal solidifies Lenoir as a key part of the 49ers’ defense for the foreseeable future.
Homegrown Talent Blossoms Into An All-Pro-Caliber Cornerback
Lenoir, a 2021 fifth-round draft pick, has been the epitome of “homegrown talent” for the 49ers. As a rookie, the 49ers inserted the former Oregon Duck into the starting lineup, and since then, he has consistently improved his game and emerged as an elite cornerback.
Per Next Gen Stats, Lenoir has allowed a career-low 66.5 passer rating this season. Sports Info Solutions also rates him as an upper-echelon cornerback, as he’s given up a reception percentage of only 47.5% on 40 targets. Lenoir has been a complete player, excelling in both coverage and run support.
“Deommodore Lenoir has been a stud,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan raved in late October. “He’s exactly what you want a 49er to play like. He has been an outstanding player for a considerable amount of time, and his performance continues to improve with each passing year. He’s having a hell of a year.”
Lenoir’s Extension Reflects His Rising Star Status
Lenoir’s new contract makes him the sixth-highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, with an average annual value of $18.4 million. This represents a significant raise from his previous salary of around $3.1 million in the final year of his rookie deal.
“The total value of the extension makes Lenoir the sixth-highest-paid cornerback in the NFL,” noted Kyle Posey, the Senior Producer at Niners Nation. “The annual value puts Lenoir at 12th, just below the Chicago Bears’ Jaylon Johnson.”
The 49ers currently have the most salary cap space in the NFL at $54.2 million, so this deal is unlikely to impact them significantly. However, the team will soon need to address the contract situation of starting quarterback Brock Purdy, the 2022 seventh-round draft pick who has emerged as the team’s starter.
Lenoir’s Extension Solidifies 49ers’ CB Room
Lenoir’s extension is a clear indication of the 49ers’ faith in him as a long-term cornerstone of their defense. It also raises questions about the future of veteran cornerback Charvarius Ward, who is currently on a $40.5 million contract that voids after this season.
“Is this the 49ers’ way of telling us that we’ve seen the last of Mooney? It very well could be,” Posey speculated. “Ward turns 29 in May, and while he’s been dependable, durable, and dominant, paying a cornerback when he’s into his 30s hasn’t paid off historically.”
The 49ers may find a solution in rookie Renardo Green, who has played well in the first half. This could allow the team to move on from Ward and focus on Lenoir and Green as their cornerback duo of the future.
Lenoir’s Rise Reflects 49ers’ Scouting And Development
Lenoir’s impressive rise from a fifth-round pick to a top-paid cornerback is a testament to the 49ers’ scouting and player development efforts. Shanahan and the coaching staff have consistently praised Lenoir’s work ethic and dedication, with the head coach highlighting how the young cornerback “stood out” in his rookie camp and has “owned” his starting job ever since.
“Lenoir has been durable,” Posey noted. “He didn’t miss a start last season and has started and played in every game this year. The 49ers frequently rely on Lenoir for his defensive contributions.
The 49ers’ ability to identify and develop talent like Lenoir is a key reason for their sustained success as an organization. By locking up the 25-year-old cornerback, they’ve ensured that one of their defensive cornerstones will be in the Bay Area for years to come.
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