SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Earlier than cornerback Deommodore Lenoir was able to signal a profitable contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers, he first wished to ensure everybody else may see what he had lengthy since believed: that he was among the many finest within the NFL at his place.
“I used to be all the time the particular person [who] can be assured after which talking aloud and saying stuff like I am the very best,” Lenoir mentioned. “However I wished to show to you guys first and show to the world who I’m.”
No matter what the remainder of the soccer world thinks, the Niners despatched a convincing message that they concurred with Lenoir’s self-assessment Tuesday when the edges agreed to a five-year, $92 million contract extension. Lenoir formally signed the deal Wednesday morning after which spent about 10 minutes discussing his lengthy street to the cope with Bay Space media earlier than apply.
Throughout that dialog, Lenoir recounted a humorous story about how he nearly by no means even acquired near signing a long-term extension in San Francisco. After the 49ers used a fifth-round choose within the 2021 NFL draft on him, Lenoir made a rapid first impression along with his physicality in the course of the group’s rookie minicamp.
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However that impression shortly turned bitter when Lenoir posted video of some reps from the practices by which he was a bit too hands-on for an offseason apply. The video shortly went viral and resulted in a $100,000 advantageous for the group and a $50,000 advantageous for coach Kyle Shanahan.
“He caught out our first day of rookie camps when he acquired me fined lots since you jam individuals too laborious after which put it on the web,” Shanahan mentioned, laughing. “That was the primary time I ever acquired mad at him, however I used to be actually enthusiastic about it regardless of what it took away [from] my youngsters’ faculty tuition. Nevertheless it confirmed we had the appropriate sort of dude.”
After just a few bumps in his rookie 12 months, together with a expensive mistake in a Week 3 loss to the Inexperienced Bay Packers that led to a drastic minimize in enjoying time for the remainder of that season, Lenoir reemerged early within the 2022 season.
In a breakout 2023 marketing campaign, Lenoir staked his declare to not solely one of many two beginning outdoors cornerback spots but in addition being the group’s finest slot nook, bumping inside in nickel packages. He performed 570 snaps on the surface and 311 within the slot, posting 84 tackles and three interceptions whereas permitting a minus-4.7 EPA (anticipated factors added), 80.1 passer score and only one landing when focused.
Lenoir has been even higher this season, with 53 tackles, 1 pressured fumble and a pair of interceptions, whereas yielding a passer score of 66.5 when focused as the closest defender, in keeping with NFL Subsequent Gen Stats.
Lenoir’s manufacturing, mixed with a tenacious strategy that enables him to excel as a run defender as a lot as in protection, has endeared him to teammates equivalent to finish Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner. Bosa calls Lenoir “one in all my favourite teammates I’ve ever performed with” and Warner says Lenoir is having “an All-Professional-type 12 months.”
“He is precisely what you need in a Niner,” Warner mentioned. “He does all of it, performs nickel for us, nook, the physicality he brings to the place. Being lockdown on the surface and having the ability to get his nostril soiled on the within, it is one thing that you do not see lots within the NFL, and so he acquired paid prefer it.”
Certainly, Lenoir mentioned when he acquired the information that the deal was carried out, he instantly burst into tears figuring out he had modified the trajectory of his household’s life for generations to return. As an added bonus, he additionally has an opportunity to atone for the rookie mistake he made almost 4 years in the past, though he maintains he posted the video accidentally.
“Now I can lastly pay Kyle again for [his son] Carter’s tuition,” Lenoir mentioned.
Whereas the Niners now know they’re going to have Lenoir round for 5 extra years, there are extra urgent worries about a few of their prime gamers’ availabilities for Sunday in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks. Bosa (hip) and tight finish George Kittle (hamstring) didn’t take part in Wednesday’s apply after battling via their respective accidents final week in opposition to Tampa Bay.
Shanahan mentioned he isn’t overly anxious that Bosa and Kittle will miss this week’s sport, noting that he expects to have Kittle again in apply on Thursday.
Bosa’s scenario seems extra tenuous. After sustaining a hip pointer in apply final week, he performed 49 snaps in opposition to the Bucs with an harm he referred to as “the worst factor I’ve needed to play via” on Wednesday.
Based on Bosa, relaxation is the one factor that may assist his ailing hip, which is why he is unlikely to take part in apply all week.
“It may be undoubtedly shut [to play Sunday],” Bosa mentioned. “I sort of tried to push via final week in apply and that did not work, so I am simply going to relaxation this complete week and see what occurs.”
Punter Mitch Wishnowsky’s again harm can also be a difficulty for the Niners, a lot in order that they signed punter Pat O’Donnell to the apply squad on Wednesday.
“I am a bit of extra involved with that,” Shanahan mentioned. “Bothered him earlier within the 12 months. … And it is flared up right here this final week and so we’ll see how this week goes, however that is why we introduced in one other man. So hopefully it’s going to take a flip for the higher right here, however proper now we’ve got some concern.”
