49ers tight end Vernon Davis says OTA absence is 'in best interest of my brand'
San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis made his second Pro Bowl in 2013. (Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis explained during a radio interview that the reason he has not attended any of the team's offseason programs is because he is looking for a new contract.
Davis has two years left on a six-year, $42.559 million contract extension he signed in 2010. Of all players at Davis' position, only Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, who is scheduled to make $7.4 million in 2014, will receive more in average salary next season than Davis.
The team's mandatory minicamp starts June 17 and Davis can be fined if he does not attend.
“Every decision that I make is in the best interest of my brand,” Davis said on the Jay Mohr Sports radio show, via Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. “At the end of the day, sometimes we have to make a business decision. And my decision is to work out on my own and focus on building my brand, as well as balancing everything out.”
Davis caught 52 passes for 850 yards and 13 touchdowns last season for the 49ers, who made the NFC Championship Game for the third straight year.
“Just being able to retire as a 49er. All my life, it’s my dream to retire as a 49er. That’s the hope I have at the moment," Davis said.
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