Top center turns down more money from the Jets to return to 49ers
Considered one of the top centers on the market, Jake Brendel could have gotten a larger payday had he signed with another team.
But according to a report from The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt, Brendel turned down more money from the New York Jets — and perhaps the chance to block for Aaron Rodgers — to return to the San Francisco 49ers, agreeing to a four-year, $20 million contract on Tuesday.
He’s the fifth center to land a new contract, joining Buffalo’s Connor McGovern, Carolina’s Bradley Bozeman, Minnesota’s Garrett Bradberry and Philadelphia’s Jason Kelce. McGovern was the only one to sign with a new team.
Among centers, Brendel was the 11th-best pass blocker and 25th-best run blocker in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus. He allowed just 14 pressures, 10 hurries, three hits and one sack on 1,252 offensive snaps in his first year as a starter.
Prior to this season, Brendel played a combined 244 offensive snaps with the 49ers and Miami Dolphins from 2016-21, playing 160 snaps at center and 82 snaps at left guard.
Although the 49ers lost right tackle Mike McGlinchey to the Denver Broncos via free agency, locking down Brendel ensures four of San Francisco's five starting offensive linemen return in 2023.
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