Report: 49ers Sign Michael Crabtree

The San Francisco 49ers reportedly signed their first-round draft pick Michael Crabtree Wednesday morning, bringing to an end a long contract negotiation that saw Crabtree sit out all of training camp, the preseason and the first four games of the regular season.

Jay Glazer of FOX Sports is reporting that the team and Crabtree have agreed to a six-year contract that can void to five years if Crabtree, a wide receiver out of Texas Tech, meets certain performance incentives.

But the big question, which has not yet been answered, is which side caved in on the financial terms. Crabtree believed he deserved as much money as the $23.5 million guaranteed that No. 7 overall pick Darrius Heyward-Bey got from the Raiders. The 49ers had offered Crabtree a guarantee of about $16 million.

The negotiations between Crabtree and the 49ers had been so difficult that there was talk that Crabtree could sit out the entire 2009 season and re-enter the NFL draft in 2010. But now Crabtree is signed, and he could be on the field for the 49ers as soon as Sunday's game against the Falcons

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

10-07-2009 @ 7:12AM

hamobama166 said...

Was the success of the team the reason Crabtree signed? Will he get a starters spot or will he have to earn it in practices.The timing needed to get o same page with his QB needs time to work out.Hopefully his signing doesn't disrupt the team chemistry built up to this point.

10-07-2009 @ 12:26PM

junior said...

I wonder if the greedy little boy would have signed if they were 0-4, instead of 3-1. Let him sit on the bench for the season and see how he likes it.

10-07-2009 @ 7:37AM

gonzo1 said...

the forty niners should trade him to oakland , they're doing FINE without his greedy ass . let him go play with that " talented" quarterback named russell and see how many passes he can manage to catch .

10-07-2009 @ 10:38AM

dcbkwhite1 said...

That's the best idea I've seen on here in a long time. Before he was even signed he was already a spoiled little baby who thought he was entitled to the World because he can catch a football. I say make him play with the practice squad the whole year and not dress for any games!Of course I'm sure they mortgaged the team to sign him so that wouldn't work.

10-07-2009 @ 9:37PM

SimbaDogg said...

idiot...OR maybe you dont know how practice squads work. once you put someone on the practice squad, they're eligible to get snagged up by any team in the league. yeah, so that wont work

10-07-2009 @ 8:17AM

drj816 said...

Nice article, but what were the terms? Crabtree was a fool to hold out like that, the only 09 draftee to hold out until 1/3 of the season is gone. His teammates will be slow to accept him ("where were YOU when we were knocking heads in training camp?!!") and if he does poorly when he gets on the field the fans will eat him alive. He will be forever known now as the guy that held out way longer than normal and his career will have to be stellar to overcome that mantra.

10-07-2009 @ 11:05AM

bobbren1 said...

What did the Jets back down once they got caught trying to deal with him?

10-07-2009 @ 11:08AM

midcen42 said...

r u for real what a great move. this is going maintain the 49 on top of the conference.

10-07-2009 @ 11:18AM

HEADHAWG said...

If S.F. puts this guy on the field either it will be a disaster or he was worth the money.I suspect disaster.They should trade him to L.A.,or K.C.,or Cleveland.

10-07-2009 @ 2:53PM

Susan G. said...

L.A.?

10-07-2009 @ 11:19AM

sharffj said...

who cares

10-07-2009 @ 11:23AM

buckmdm said...

Remember that the jets may get in troble also. And they are found to have talked to crabtree. They should lose there number 1 pick to the 49ers. Kind o funny that the jets went after someone else right away once they found out that crabtree was at the 49ers and working to get a deal.

10-07-2009 @ 11:26AM

rchkd08 said...

Ima big 49ers fan and i dont see why we aint just look over crabtree and his selfish ways and just go after MARVIN HARRISTON who still a free agent he wouldnt turned down the offer

10-07-2009 @ 11:27AM

sjcobb said...

Who cares?????

10-07-2009 @ 11:51AM

degraff15 said...

I hope he gets the league minimum, and sits on the bench for the rest of the season

10-07-2009 @ 11:54AM

Magic said...

GUARANTEED, he wont be in shape and when he gets into action he will pull a hamstring and be lost for 4-6 weeks

10-07-2009 @ 11:55AM

ej1957 said...

Gret move for the 49's, they will play in the post sean and will be a major factor. Coach says he wants winners, he's got as winner now for sure. The SF 49's are back and it's nice to see. QUIT YOUR WHINNING GUYS, CRABTREE IS GOOD FOR THE LEAGUE!

10-07-2009 @ 12:03PM

bobby said...

Suckers!The 49er organization are suckers.They should have let this cancerous puke of a brat sit the year out .They gave in and Im signing out.I will no longer support or root for this once great organization.How dare thet let some 20 year old project hood hold them up hostage and then give in to this greedy SOB....

10-07-2009 @ 12:50PM

mstohler said...

I think it's obvious that SF caved....
Without Gore on the field their "running back by committee" offense is lacking the talent to force the ball with a running program. The thing is, Gore SHOULD be back immediately after their bye week.....or will he?