In 2018, Mike Person earned a starting job and praise from the 49ers’ coaching staff and front office.
In doing so, he also earned himself a big payday in 2019.
ESPN’s NFL correspondent Adam Schefter has reported the team and Person – the team’s starting right guard this past season – have agreed on a three-year, $9 million contract. Person was due to become an unrestricted free agent, but the deal – which includes $3 million guaranteed – could keep the NFL veteran around through the 2021 season.
Person was a seventh-round draft choice by the 49ers out of Montana State, but wound up playing his first two seasons in Seattle, followed by stints in St. Louis, Atlanta and Indianapolis before joining the Niners in 2018. He was signed as a versatile player to provide depth on the line, because he plays both guard and center.
But, in competition with former No. 1 pick Joshua Garnett, Person won the starting right guard job last summer and started all 16 games, even while battling through a painful foot injury.
Garnett will still have the opportunity to beat out Person in training camp, and the 49ers also could draft a guard or sign one in free agency. But 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch became fans of Person in 2018 for the way he won the job, played and contributed even while at less than 100 percent.
“Mike Person battled through some stuff last year, but he kept showing up, so that earns respect,” Lynch said, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Added Shanahan: “I was really happy with what Mike did for us this year.”
