The 49ers locked up Deommodore Lenoir for the long haul, and the outstanding cornerback shared what it meant to receive his extension.
Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir is going to be with the San Francisco 49ers for quite a while.
Lenoir, who has effectively taken over as the Niners’ top defensive back in a talented secondary, inked a five-year extension worth up to $92 million earlier this week, putting himself in the conversation for top-paid defensive backs across the league.
At 25 years old, the former fifth-round NFL Draft pick out of Oregon has ascended into quite the playmaker, and San Francisco recognized it couldn’t allow him to hit the open market when he was originally eligible to become a free agent in 2025.
Sure, by extending Lenoir, the 49ers effectively are poised to let veteran corner Charvarius Ward go this upcoming offseason when he, too, becomes a free agent.
But, considering Lenoir is significantly younger and still on the ascent, it’s understandable why general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan put a priority on the versatile defender instead of Ward.
Naturally, Lenoir was thrilled to know he was going to stay in the Bay Area for a long, long time.
Deommodore Lenoir on contract extension: ‘This is where I wanted to be’
Lenoir, who was on the fringes of the roster his rookie season back in 2021, has quietly and steadily ascended the ranks into one of the Niners’ top defenders. In 2023, he had something of a “coming out” campaign in which he started all 17 games, recorded a career-best 10 pass breakups and three interceptions.
This year, Lenoir is on pace to pass those efforts with six passes broken up and two picks, suggesting he’s only getting better.
“I knew this is where I wanted to be, so we were always in negotiations after the Super Bowl,” Lenoir said of his extension, via the team’s website. “I’m happy we got something done, and I’ll remain here for the rest of my career. I would like to thank the York family, this whole organization, Kyle, John, my coaches and my teammates for pushing me everyday. Being able to play with all these great guys, I had no other option than to try and be great. I tip my hat off to my team.”
Shanahan, too, echoed similar sentiments.
“He’s exactly what we want as a Niner,” the head coach revealed during his Wednesday press conference. “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 figures to partner with rookie cornerback Renardo Green for the foreseeable future.
Green, an up-and-coming player in his own right, has shown Lenoir-like abilities already and will aim to keep San Francisco’s secondary in the upper echelon of NFL ranks.
But Green will have to wait a while for a payday. Lenoir can sit back and relax on that front.
“When I heard my agent tell me the deal was finally done, I burst out into tears,” Lenoir admitted. “I’m finally able to change my family’s life for generations. It’s just a blessing.”
