49ers, standout CB Deommodore Lenoir agree to 5-year, $92 million extension: Sources

By Matt Barrows, Jeff Howe and Jelani Scott

The San Francisco 49ers rewarded cornerback Deommodore Lenoir , a key member of its secondary, with a five-year, $92 million extension, league sources said.

The move comes amid another solid year for Lenoir, who was playing out the last year of his rookie deal and was set to become an unrestricted free agent following the season. The fourth-year pro has been integral in maintaining the 49ers's status as one of the league's best defenses over the past few seasons, and has helped the secondary contain opponents to 197.4 passing yards per game (12th-best).

A 2021 fifth-round pick out of Oregon, Lenoir has blossomed into one of the NFL 's premier corners, showcasing his versatility while playing both the outside cornerback and nickel cornerback positions. Lenoir enters Week 11 with 53 tackles (33 solo), two interceptions, six passes defended and one forced fumble. He also added his first career touchdown in Week 5 after returning a blocked field goal in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals .

For his career, Lenoir has recorded 233 tackles, six interceptions and one pass deflection in 56 games.

Lenoir had an up-and-down rookie season in 2021 and would frustrate then-defensive backs coach Cory Undlin from time to time. But the 49ers liked Lenoir's tenacity and confidence throughout, and he started to come on during the 2022 playoffs in which he had an interception in wins against the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys . He carried that momentum into the 2023 season, one in which he became both the 49ers' starting outside cornerback and top nickel cornerback by the end of the season.

This year? Lenoir was easily the 49ers' best player in training camp and has kept that going into the regular season. (He's a strong candidate to be the team's MVP at year's end). Opposing quarterbacks have a lowly 65 passer rating as he's been durable and even returned a blocked kick for a touchdown.

Lenoir turned 25 last month and would have been a hot commodity on the open market if the 49ers had allowed him to reach free agency. They felt the urgency to get a deal done now. — Matt Barrows, 49ers beat writer

What does the deal mean for 49ers' future?

Lenoir's signing almost assures they won't sign fellow starter Charvarius Ward , who also is due to be a free agent, to a long-term deal. That would mean the team's top two cornerbacks for 2025 are a pair of home-grown players: Lenoir and Renardo Green , a second rounder this year. They are similar in their gritty, ultra-confident styles and are tough enough to play the rugged nickel position.

Who'd be San Francisco's third cornerback in that scenario? The 49ers would love 2023 draft pick Darrell Luter Jr. to develop into that role, though he's received scant snaps so far. The team also could find an inexpensive cornerback in free agency like they did this year with Isaac Yiadom and Rock Ya-Sin . Both are only signed through the current season. The 49ers also could find another rookie like they did with Green this year.

San Francisco feels confident it's found a good formula for finding cornerbacks. It's one of the reasons the team didn't make any splashy moves — and part with mid-round draft picks — at the trade deadline. — Barrows

(Photo: Cary Edmondson / Imagn Images)