The 49ers Should Extend Deommodore Lenoir's Contract Now

He has been in the NFL three years, which means the 49ers could extend his contract today if they wanted to. And they should want to, because next year Lenoir will be a free agent, and his price tag could be much more expensive by then.

Brandon Aiyuk isn't the only player on the 49ers who's eligible for a contract extension this offseason.

Deommodore Lenoir also is eligible for an extension. He has been in the NFL three years, which means the 49ers could extend his contract today if they wanted to. And they should want to, because next year Lenoir will be a free agent, and his price tag could be much more expensive by then.

Lenoir is just 24-years old. The 49ers picked him in Round 5 of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he has improved each year he has been in the NFL. As a rookie in 2021, he started two games, gave up a quarterback rating of 125.4 and got benched. But in 2022, he started 13 games, gave up a quarterback rating of 91.2 and and played exceptionally well in the playoffs. Then in 2023, he started all 17 games and gave up a quarterback rating of just 75.2. Stock up.

I'm not saying Lenoir is an elite no. 1 cornerback, because he's not. But he is one of the best no. 2 cornerbacks in the NFL. He can play outside and in the slot, he's an excellent tackler and he intercepts passes. Last season, he intercepted three.

If the 49ers extend Lenoir right now, they probably can afford to keep him. If they wait another year and he continues to improve as he probably will, it's likely he'll price himself out of town, considering the 49ers will have to extend Brock Purdy's contract next year, too.

Don't wait.