Earl Mitchell Signs with San Francisco 49ers
Earl Mitchell earns a big pay raise with San Francisco
Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have their first major free agent signed on to be a leader on their defense. Former Miami Dolphins defensive lineman signed a
Former Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Earl Mitchell signed a four-year deal to play in the Bay Area, and gets a significant pay increase.
Mitchell will make approximately $1.5 million more this season than he would have on his previous contract with Miami.
Mike Garafolo first reported the defensive tackle signing with the Niners.
DT Earl Mitchell to the Niners on a four-year deal worth $16m with $5.5m in year one, source says.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 25, 2017
Denver, Seattle, and Atlanta were also prime candidates for Mitchell to sign with. The Broncos were once considered to be favorites after Mitchell’s former coach Vance Joseph left Miami for the Broncos head coach position.
More from NFL Free Agency
- Ideal landing spots for Dalvin Cook, Ezekiel Elliott and other free agent running backs
- AFC East Buzz: Ezekiel Elliot visits Patriots; Dalvin Cook-Jets rumors heat up
- NFL Free Agency: 5 most intriguing landing spots for Dalvin Cook
- AFC South Buzz: Titans nab DeAndre Hopkins; Engram gets paid
- 5 Teams That Should Sign Free Agent WR DeAndre Hopkins
Pro Football Focus ranked Mitchell the 78th best interior defensive lineman in the league last year mainly due to his deficiencies as a run defender. Mitchell ranked as the 22nd pass rusher in the league despite not having a sack in over two years.
Mitchell spent the majority of the season on injured reserve with a calf injury, limiting him to nine games and only five starts. With San Francisco transitioning from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 Mitchell will rotate with blossoming starters DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead.
San Francisco expects to have over $70 million in cap space entering the free agent market this year, and could find even more money should Colin Kaepernick opt out of his player option. Kaepernick would forgo over $19 million if he left San Francisco this offseason.