The San Francisco 49ers made headlines Tuesday by signing cornerback Deommodore Lenoir to a five-year, $92 million contract extension. Head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters before Wednesday's practice, praising the young defender and expressing the team's excitement.
The 49ers initially tried to extend Lenoir's contract during the offseason but couldn't get it finalized. After renewed efforts in the past few weeks, the agreement was signed on Tuesday.
"So pumped. I can't say enough about Demo," Shanahan said. "He's exactly what we want as a Niner. The style of play, how good he's become, and really, just how much he loves football. And he's the same dude every day. I know we were pumped. The guys were pumped. It was huge."
Lenoir was eager to get a deal done with the 49ers, helping facilitate the in-season agreement.
"I knew this where I wanted to be," Lenoir said on Wednesday. "So we was always in negotiations after the Super Bowl. [I hoped] we could have gotten something done earlier, but I'm happy we got something done, and I'm here, and I [hope to] remain here for the rest of my career. ... Just being able to play with all these great guys, I had no other option but to try and be great."
Reflecting on Lenoir's growth and resilience, Shanahan praised his journey from early NFL challenges to becoming one of the team's most reliable defenders. Over the past two seasons, the coach has been particularly impressed with Lenoir's playmaking abilities.
"I don't think there's that much difference between him this year and last year," Shanahan shared. "I thought he played at such a high level last year. I don't think everyone talked about it as much. He's taken off right where he left off last year and only gotten better. And the way he's been playing all year, with his confidence, his physicality, he's been one of our best."
Shanahan also commended Lenoir's versatility, particularly his ability to play the nickel corner spot and contribute to the run defense.
"He's got the mindset to do all that," the coach said. "He's got a mindset very similar to Jimmie Ward's, just how he plays, how much he loves the physicality, how much he can cover. But he wants to play like a linebacker and really be a part of all that stuff."
While Lenoir might have earned more in free agency, he was committed to staying with the 49ers. He even admitted to bursting into tears upon hearing from his agent that a life-changing deal had been finalized.
"I've been a West Coast guy my whole life," Lenoir said. "The camaraderie within the team, all the players, my brothers, my family. My family is from this side, so I knew it was a place that I could see myself long-term."
After years of working to prove himself, Lenoir sees this contract as validation of his status among the NFL's top cornerbacks. When asked if the big payday puts a target on his back, Lenoir responded confidently, "I'm happy if it did put a target on my back because I'm ready for anything."