The San Francisco 49ers are keeping one of their own.
San Francisco inked defensive back Deommodore Lenoir to a five-year contract extension that will make him among the richest players at his position.
The cornerback is one of the more underappreciated players across the NFL and hasn’t yet solidified himself as a household name on the Niners’ defense. But after taking a back seat to Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, Lenoir’s contract signals it’s time for fans across the league to take notice.
The 25-year-old’s rookie deal was set to expire following this season, sending the cornerback to free agency. This new deal will keep him in the Bay Area through 2029. San Francisco drafted Lenoir in the fifth round in 2021. His versatility and meteoric rise to stardom ensures that a key piece of the 49ers’ secondary isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon.
Here’s what to know about Lenoir’s extension:
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Deommodore Lenoir contract details
Lenoir is signing a five-year extension worth $92 million, USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon confirmed. Here’s a look at how the deal breaks down.
Term: 5 years
Total value: $92 million
Average annual value (AAV): $18.4 million
The extension has been a long time coming for Lenoir, who has shifted between playing outside and nickel corner while doing whatever the team asks of him. The former Oregon Duck is just the latest example of the 49ers’ ability to find gems in the middle rounds of the draft every year. It’s an impressive list that includes the likes of Warner, George Kittle, Dre Greenlaw and Brock Purdy.
Lenoir stepped into a starting role in 2022 and maintained his hold on the job in 2023, starting all 17 games. He has appeared in 56 games over four seasons, posting six interceptions, 23 pass breakups, one sack, a forced fumble and 233 total tackles.
The extension marks a big raise for the cornerback, who is making $3.1 million this season, according to Spotrac. The guaranteed money remains unclear, but Lenoir will be among the highest-paid CBs in the league starting next season.
NFL’s highest-paid CBs
There are a variety of ways to measure contracts in the NFL. Between average annual value (AAV), guaranteed money and total contract value, Lenoir finds himself amongst the best cornerbacks the league has to offer.
AAV
Jalen Ramsey, Miami Dolphins: $24.1 million
Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos: $24 million
Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers: $21 million
A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons: $20.25 million
Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns: $20.1 million
Marshon Lattimore, Washington Commanders: $19.52 million
Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens: $19.5 million
Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys: $19.4 million
Tyson Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars: $19.125 million
L’Jarius Snead, Tennessee Titans: $19.1 million
Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears: $19 million
Deommodore Lenoir, San Francisco 49ers: $18.4 million
Total contract value
Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns: $100.5 million
Marshon Lattimore, Washington Commanders: $97.6 million
Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens: $97.5 million
Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys: $97 million
Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos: $96 million
Deommodore Lenoir, San Francisco 49ers: $92 million
Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers: $84 million
A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons: $81 million
Tyson Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars: $76.5 million
L’Jarius Snead, Tennessee Titans: $76.4 million