The 49ers and star defensive lineman DeForest Buckner have had contract negotiations for a long-term deal, but but they remain far apart on terms, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. Agent Chafie Fields has talked with team brass over the last few days, but there is no deal in sight. 
The Niners exercised Buckner’s fifth-year option last week and a long-term pact remains a priority for the club. The former No. 7 overall pick is coming off a breakout 2018 campaign in which he graded out as Pro Football Focus’ 23rd-best defensive lineman. He started all 16 games, and racked up 12 sacks while also being a force against the run.
For now, the fifth-year option is slated to pay Buckner $12.378MM in 2020. The Niners can ill-afford to lose him after that, especially since 2017’s No. 3 overall pick Solomon Thomas hasn’t panned out so far.
The good news for the 49ers is that Buckner isn’t necessarily in a rush to ink a multi-year pact.
“We’ve had conversations here and there. Honestly, it’s very early,” Buckner said in April. “Just because I’m eligible for a new contract going into my fourth year, it’s still very early in the process.”
They need to pay him whatever he wants. He’s just too good
They need to give him what fair to him and the team. If we let players decided what teams should pay them. Than there be so many overpaid players
Only the clowns at PFF would believe there are actually 22 better defensive linemen than Buckner. He has the potential to be a Donald like game changer if he gets some support.
Is it just me or does anyone else see a pattern here? Their contract negotiations seem to not be working for them. Then over pay to get guys and then can’t pay the guys they need to pay to keep. Yea they got Jimmy but they also held leverage over him because he barely had any starts under him plus they controlled him with being able to tag him for 3 years. Let’s not forget they missed out on how many trades? I hope this figure this one out. Can’t let him walk.
I believe missing out on those trades will prove to be a benefit to the Niners in the long run. Why mortgage the future taking a flyer on Antonio Brown or Beckham when your team isn’t even a playoff contender. Leave that Hail Mary strategy to teams like the Jets and stick with the plan of patiently developing your current talent. There is always some posturing early in negotiations but I’m sure Buckner and the FO will work something out in due course.
Paraag somehow works miracles keeping players happy with their contracts/deals, yet also making the contracts very tram friendly. I’m not so sure if he will be able to do the same here with D-Bucks, but he was able to make both sides happy with the Jimmy G deal, so it isn’t impossible.
Either way, the 49ers have to lock him up moving forward. PFF ranked him as their 23rd overall interior DL’men; however, that was with De-Fo getting doubled up on game in and game out. That was with their opponents being able to scheme around Buckner, due to a lack of significant talent along the 49ers front. Now, with the addition of Kwon Alexander, Kwon and Warner will be able to cover up the middle of the field allowing the pass rush more time to get home.
Most importantly, the 49ers have brought in pass rushing specialists in Ford and Bosa. Opponents can no longer solely key in on Buckner with those two as your book-ends. Throw in sprinkles of Arik Armstead, Solomon Thomas, DJ Jones, and add in two more talented and young interior lineman than can disrupt the pocket in Kentavious Street and Julian Taylor, and the 49ers have quickly turned a big weakness into a MAJOR strength. They’ll have experience, youth, depth, and an excellent mixture of pieces that should gel and help compliment eachother very well!!
Also, fans shiuld not discount what adding a healthy J.Verrett could do for this defense!! Verrett will fill, patch, and pave over another previous huge hole for the 49ers. JV will line up as the 2nd starting CB opposite of a revitalized Sherman. Then, a healthy core group at safety, starting with the talented Tartt, the versatile Ward, and a healthy and improved Colbert should help out tremendously. Health, minor injuries, and die to revolving doors at each secondary spot, there were a tremendous amount of communication errors. Adding a veteran to this group, and getting their starters back healthy, should do wonders for this unit as a whole.
Then, for depth, they’ll still have K’Waun Williams as their starting nickel, and a group of young and talented pieces like A.Witherspoon, T.Moore, DJ Reed, and T.Harris all looking to earn spots on the field this season. Witherspoon, Moore, and Reed have all shown flashes of promise, but they’ve also had assignment and communication lapses on the field. Now, hopefully their solid talent will flash more often this year, rather than their inexperience..Let’s go 9ers, here’s to Shanny, Jimmy G, Kittle, Pettis, Breida, Staley, Buckner, Ford, Kwon, Warner, Sherman, Verrett, and Tartt ALL doing work, and coming together as the leaders of this team, being their driving force behind their playoff push!!