The San Francisco 49ers are going to have to start making some tough decisions soon. With Ahmad Brooks lined up, the discussion turns to who San Francisco should sign next. One such target? Free agent cornerback Carlos Rogers.
Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group reports on an interview Rogers did with SiriusXM NFL Radio.
"I’m hoping we get somthing done so I don’t test free agency," Rogers told SiriusXM NFL Radio this afternoon.
If the 49ers can’t reach a long-term contract with Rogers, they could put the franchise tag on him, although that $10.6 million mark is considerably higher than using it on another free agent, such as safety Dashon Goldson.
Rogers came to the 49ers on a one-year, $4.25 million deal last season and garnered his first Pro Bowl berth. "As cornerbacks, we know our market value," said Rogers, who then listed off his Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro credentials.
"(The 49ers) is where my heart is at. They want me back. It’s a business, both for them and me. Hopefully we get something worked out."
The 49ers had around $30-35 million in cap space before the extension for CJ Spillman and the deal for Brooks.
The issue with Rogers comes with the franchise tag, which is probably what the cornerback desires. But San Francisco seems to want to franchise safety Dashon Goldson for his outstanding season. It's worth noting the CB franchise tender is around $9M while the safety franchise tender is $6.2M, so it's much easier to retain Goldson.
If 49ers think that their secondary success was a byproduct of their front seven, it makes sense to lock up Brooks and return the unit, and figure they can add someone at corner or go with their younger guys and let Rogers walk. With San Francisco also needing to make deals for quarterback Alex Smith and Goldson and the team also likely to release Shawntae Spencer to free up $3 mil in cap room, it'll be interesting to see how far San Francisco fights to keep Rogers.
To discuss Rogers, Brooks and the 49ers, head on over to Niners Nation.