49ers are Signing OL Colton McKivitz to a Two-Year Extension

If it was unclear before that Mike McGlinchey wasn't returning to the 49ers, it is definitely clear now after the extension given to Colton McKivitz.

The 49ers are locking up one of their free agents.

Offensive lineman Colton McKivitz is being signed to a two-year extension through the 2024 season. McKivitz was slated to be a restricted free agent, which meant he was practically a lock to return to the 49ers.

Still, the extension to McKivitz makes it increasingly unlikely that incumbent starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey will return. McGlinchey is set to become an unrestricted free agent on Mar. 15 and is sure to draw interest from several teams. This made it tough on the 49ers to re-sign McGlinchey as it would only spike up his price.

Letting McGlinchey walk was always likely as any time a team doesn't get a deal done with a player before they hit free agency signals that they are okay if they sign elsewhere. If it was unclear before that McGlinchey wasn't returning to the 49ers, it is definitely clear now after the extension given to McKivitz.

This now lines up McKivitz to compete for the starting right tackle spot. Now the question remains on how the 49ers will load up the position. Free agency is where they can look to bring in someone who is a lot cheaper than McGlinchey to give McKivitz that push to see if he is ready. Then there is the NFL draft where the 49ers can load up, especially after they just received a haul of compensatory draft picks.

A lot of exploration must be done at right tackle for the 49ers. Entrusting or expecting McKivitz to anchor the starting role would be unwise. McKivitz was originally selected by the 49ers in the fifth-round (No. 153 overall) of the 2020 NFL draft. Over the last three years (2020-22), McKivitz has appeared in 28 games (five starts) with the team.