Michael Crabtree Finally Signs With 49ers

After a three month holdout and the threat that he would sit out the entire 2009 season if he didn’t get what he wanted, San Francisco 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree has finally come to his senses and signed a contract with the team. It’s a six-year deal that he can void to five years if he meets undefined performance clauses. Translated—but not specifically—if he has great years in two of his first four seasons, his contract will become a five-year deal. If he stinks it up, that means he’ll get “only” $4 million in that sixth year.

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers / Photo: Newscom

The only thing that kept Michael from being a top five (or maybe top six or seven) pick in the 2009 NFL Draft was the concern over a foot injury that kept him from participating in the NFL Scouting Combine or a personal “Pro Day” for team evaluators. So he fell all the way to the 49ers with the 10th overall pick. And because Michael felt he was better than that, he held out with delusions of grandeur that ultimately backfired because this is essentially the same deal the Niners were offering him back in July.

If Michael’s agent, Eugene Parker, hasn’t tried to break the financial slotting process of the Draft, Michael would’ve been in camp and learning and contributing to an already impressive 49ers offense. Make no mistake, however. His presence will help this team but it’s going to take some time for him to get acclimated—to the Niners and the speed of the National Football League.

Source: NFL.com