Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has some of the details on new San Francisco 49ers center Weston Richburg's deal. The five-year contract is worth up to $47.5 million with $28.5 million in guarantees.
The #49ers signed former #Giants C Weston Richburg to a 5-year, $47.5M deal with $28.5M in guarantees, source said. He gets $16.5M fully guaranteed.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2018
At an average annual salary of $9.5 million, the deal makes Richburg the second-highest paid center in the NFL behind just Brandon Linder of the Jacksonville Jaguars ($10.34 million average). His contract is much bigger than the three-year extension worth $11.78 million that center Daniel Kilgore received last month.
"We see Weston as one of the top young interior offensive linemen in the NFL," said 49ers general manager John Lynch via a statement issued by the team on Wednesday. "His athleticism, intelligence and attitude are a perfect fit for our scheme."
Upon news of the signing, there was some question whether Richburg would play guard or his natural position of center. He has experience at both spots. Richburg played guard during his rookie season in 2014 due to injuries along the Giants offensive line but moved to center in 2015. He graded as the second-best center in the NFL by Pro Football Focus that season.
Former NFL guard Geoff Schwartz, who was with the Giants when the team drafted Richburg in 2014, insists the 26-year-old offensive lineman will play center with the 49ers.
"I don't expect them to sign Weston to the money that they did and then not put him at his best position, which is center," said Schwartz via the Sacramento Bee.
The 49ers also signed versatile free agent running back Jerick McKinnon to a four-year deal reportedly worth $30 million while allowing last season's starter, Carlos Hyde, to depart for the Cleveland Browns.
"Jerick and Weston were both at the top of our priority list heading into free agency, and being able to lock them in quickly was important to us," said Lynch. "Both men embody the 49ers spirit and check almost all the boxes on the list of characteristics we look for in a player. Most importantly, they are passionate about the game, have a desire to be great and are dedicated to doing what's necessary to win in this league."
* Story updated to reflect corrected $30 million contract number for McKinnon