49ers and Javon Hargrave Agree to Four Year $84 Million Deal
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Huge move for the 49ers.
They just agreed to sign free agent defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to a four-year $84 million contract with a whopping $40 million guaranteed, according to reports.
Hargrave, 30, played for the Philadelphia Eagles last season and recorded 11 sacks, so the 49ers just made their main NFC rival weaker, which is a bonus. Hargrave is an excellent player -- he atones for the 49ers sin of trading DeForest Buckner. Hargrave finally can replace what the 49ers lost when they traded Buckner to Indianapolis and drafted Javon Kinlaw.
Hargrave will replace Kinlaw in the 49ers starting lineup, and will play next to Arik Armstead along the interior of the defensive line. Hargrave instantly will be the 49ers' second-best pass rusher after Nick Bosa. Finally, the 49ers have a one-two punch on the defensive line for the first time since they went to the Super Bowl a few seasons ago.
Last season, the 49ers had a great defensive lineman -- Nick Bosa, the Defensive Player of the Year -- but their defensive line as a unit was surprisingly average. Now it's a major weapon. Teams will need to have an excellent offensive line to even compete with the 49ers next season.
It seems the 49ers are making their all-in push to win a Super Bowl, which is commendable. They already have squandered four years of a Super Bowl -- they need to win now. Their core of impact players is getting older. Even Hargrave is on the downside of his career, technically, although he hasn't shown any signs of aging yet.
The 49ers should have the best defense in the league once again next season. Unfortunately for them, offense wins championships in today's NFL. Hopefully they'll sign a good offensive player next.
