The 49ers Should Extend Aaron Banks' Contract

The longer they wait, the more his price tag will increase.

This is a no-brainer.

The 49ers need to extend Aaron Banks' contract right now. The longer they wait, the more his price tag will increase. He's an ascending young offensive lineman and he will be a free agent next year. Don't let him hit the market.

Banks is the 49ers' best offensive lineman not named Trent Williams. And yet, instead of extending Banks' contract, the 49ers decided to extend Colton McKivtz's contract even though McKivitz is older and objectively worse than Banks. McKivitz gave up 13 sacks last season -- more than any other right tackle in the NFL. Banks gave up zero sacks.

So why haven't the 49ers extended Banks' contract yet? Are they being cheap? Would he be more expensive than McKivitz because he's better than him? Perhaps, although McKivitz plays right tackle, a premium position, and Banks does not. He's a guard, and guards are cheaper. Which is all the more reason to extend Banks. He shouldn't be expensive.

So what's the deal? Are the 49ers down on Banks? It's possible they're concerned about his injury history. He dealt with turf toe for a significant portion of last season and even missed three games because of it. Plus he's 325 pounds -- a bit larger than the 49ers' typical offensive lineman, who usually weighs closer to 300 pounds. Maybe they feel his lower body injuries will continue to pile up as he gets older.

Maybe they're being overly cautious. If Banks plays well to start the season, expect the 49ers to reward him with an extension he deserves.