© Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
In the midst of the Golden State Warriors’ Game 3 NBA Finals loss to the Toronto Raptors, the San Francisco 49ers held their State of the Franchise event. While it may have been poorly timed, the event came with the significant news of a two-year Joe Staley contract extension.
Staley joined KNBR’s Bob Fitzgerald and Rod Brooks on KNBR 680 on Thursday to discuss the two-year extension, which will bring him to the 15-year mark on his career by its conclusion. The extension was one which caused Staley to become emotional once it was signed, both as a culmination of goal he set as a rookie, and with the consideration that it’s likely to be his final contract.
“I think it’s one that’s kind of special to me because I was telling so many people yesterday I didn’t want to completely close the door, but that will be the last contract I sign, probably, in the NFL, I would guess,” Staley said. “I think 15 years is going to be a long time that I’ll be in the NFL, it’s a long career. So I feel like this is going to be the last one and to play with one franchise my whole career is something special to me and something that I set out to do when I was a rookie back in 2007.”
Staley spoke to the nature of the familial relationship his built with the 49ers and the and the Bay Area community.
“This franchise has meant everything to me. It’s the only thing I know, but it’s also part of my identity,” Staley said. “The San Francisco 49ers organization, the people here, the fabric of me. It’s what motivates me to get out every single day on the field and keep working, is to try and bring a championship back to the Bay Area. I think it struck a chord with me. I got a little emotional with Kyle [Shanahan] and John [Lynch] after we completed the deal, just realizing the goal that I had set out to accomplish when I was young.”
Last season saw Staley take on a mentorship role with standout rookie tackle Mike McGlinchey. He said it was an experience that’s given him an extra sort of
“He’s been awesome for me,” Staley said. “I think John [Lynch] said yesterday he was a little bit like a fountain of youth for me, but I just really enjoy the role of being a mentor and trying to teach him what I know on the football field and this is a whole entire aspect in the game of football… our personalities get along really great, but on the field it’s been very fun.”
Despite being 34 years old, Staley rejected the notion that he’s lost a step and that his game is based more on intelligence than athleticism.
“I have a wide encyclopedia of knowledge that I can share, but I also take a ton of pride in not being the guy that’s an old guy,” Staley said. “I still take care of my body really well. I would take myself in a race in an athletic feat against any one of our linemen, regardless of age, still to this day. I’m an incredible competitor, and hearing you say that he doesn’t have it as an athlete got me fired up. I still ran a 4.87 in the offseason. 34 years old.”
Before Staley signed off, Fitzgerald joking asked why Staley wasn’t extended for another three years.
“15 is a good, round number,” Staley said. “I’m sure they would probably would have gone five [years], I’m such a physical specimen. I’m joking. I’m being sarcastic for anybody out there.”