3 Worst Contracts on the 49ers Right Now

The San Francisco 49ers' front office has done a tremendous job bolstering the team's roster in the draft in recent seasons. For starters, GM John Lynch has morphed a once depleted defense into a world-beater with defensive line with selections like Nick Bosa, DeForest Buckner and Solomon Thomas. Elsewhere, drafting players like tight end George Kittle and wideout Deebo Samuel has added a much-needed jolt of athleticism on offense.

Like any team in the NFL, however, San Francisco has some bad contracts on the books. Here are three of them.

3. Robbie Gould

49ers kicker Robbie Gould lining up for a field goal in Super Bowl LIV / Elsa/Getty Images

Every team in the NFL is granted a franchise tag, and the 49ers oddly opted to use it on kicker Robbie Gould last offseason. Despite the fact that he requested a trade out of San Fran, the organization went on to sign the 38-year-old veteran to a four-year, $19 million contract. Gould went on to miss time with a quad injury and wasn't exactly a marksman with his right peg. He logged a career-low 74.2% on field goals. That included missing all four of his attempts from 50 yards and beyond. The worst part of it all? Gould's deal is on the books until 2023.

2. Weston Richburg

49ers center Weston Richburg pre-snap / Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

Richburg became the third-highest paid center in the NFL when the 49ers gave him a five-year, $47.5 million deal prior to the 2018 campaign. As far as Pro Football Focus' seasonal grades are concerned, the former second-round pick went on to have his worst season as a pro. Though he had a solid bounce-back campaign in 2019, Richburg tore his patellar tendon in Week 14 against the Saints and missed the entire postseason. The Colorado State product has a worrying injury history, and what make's San Francisco's faith in him so puzzling is the fact the team signed him after he was limited to four games in 2017 with with the Giants.

1. Jerick McKinnon

49ers RB Jerick Mckinnon receiving a handoff / Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

During his days as the change-of-pace RB in Minnesota behind Adrian Peterson, McKinnon showed RB1 potential. That prompted San Fran to give him a four-year, $30 million in March of 2018. Folks, McKinnon has yet to play a snap for the 49ers. The Georgia Southern product suffered a torn ACL during practice last summer and went on to miss the entire 2018 season. This past year, McKinnon was placed on injured reserve after suffering a variety of setbacks with his surgically-repaired knee. We pray he gets healthy, but there's no denying that his contract has been a disaster for the Niners.