The San Francisco 49ers made several moves this offseason to address the back end of its defense through the draft and free agency.
By bringing in multiple veterans to compete for starting spots during training camp against younger incumbents, Kyle Shanahan and the coaching staff are making it clear that the best players will see the field once the 2025 campaign kicks off.
This approach creates some real intrigue in the secondary. It could also lead to a massive pay raise for one veteran if he is able to take advantage of the opportunity in the Bay Area and win the starting job coming out of training camp.
49ers Newcomer Jason Pinnock Could Make a Ton of Money This Season
After spending the last three seasons as a member of the New York Giants, Jason Pinnock signed a one-year, $2.2 million deal with the 49ers this offseason that is fully guaranteed. While no job is being handed to him in San Francisco, the Niners would not have brought in Pinnock and fellow veteran safety Richie Grant if the franchise was sold on 2023 third-round pick Ji'Ayir Brown being a full-time starter.
With Pinnock on, essentially, a "prove it" deal in San Francisco, the veteran has all the motivation in the world to put his best foot forward and win this job. After starting 31 of the 32 games he appeared in over the last two seasons, durability isn't a concern. His play on the field has never been a question, either. His 170 total tackles, five sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles back that up.
Assuming Pinnock does what is expected of him, and Brown doesn't surprise everyone by breaking through and establishing himself as the future at the position, the former Pittsburgh Panthers standout can realistically win this job in training camp. Once that happens, his future is in his own hands, and that pay raise will come as a result of his performance on the field.
His history playing under Robert Saleh is another thing that works in his favor going into the new season.
That would be an outcome that all parties involved would be satisfied with, even if his stay in San Francisco only lasts one year.