Despite starting the last two seasons, Banks has not been named to an All-Pro or Pro Bowl team.
Next year, Aaron Banks will be a free agent, and the 49ers don’t appear inclined to extend his deal. That’s because of something.
After Trent Williams, Banks is the second-best player on the offensive line and a fantastic young guard. Williams and Banks are on the left side, which is why nearly all of the 49ers’ successful runs go there.
Despite starting the last two seasons, Banks has not been named to an All-Pro or Pro Bowl team. However, he is gifted and fits into an offensive scheme that an increasing number of NFL clubs are using, much like right guard Robert Hunt, who played for the Miami Dolphins the previous season. The Carolina Panthers offered him a five-year, $100 million contract despite the fact that he only started ten games and wasn’t an All-Pro or Pro Bowler.
The market for guards has taken off. Because talented offensive linemen are so hard to come by, the best ones now command salaries of almost $15 million a season. Since Kyle Shanahan took over as head coach, the 49ers have never spent that much money on a guard. The position just doesn’t hold the same significance for him as tackle and center do.
Therefore, the 49ers are less likely to re-sign Banks if he performs well the following season. Because if he performs well, a different team will probably give him a huge salary boost in 2025. Anticipate the 49ers to choose a guard in this year’s draft who might take Banks’ spot the following season.
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