San Francisco 49ers Sign WR Ricky Pearsall to Surprisingly High Four-Year Contract Extension
**Santa Clara, CA – February 27, 2025** – The San Francisco 49ers have stunned the NFL world by signing wide receiver Ricky Pearsall to a jaw-dropping four-year contract extension worth $64 million, including $38 million guaranteed, just months after his rookie season concluded. The deal, which extends Pearsall’s tenure with the team through the 2032 season, marks an unprecedented vote of confidence in the first-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, whose initial rookie contract wasn’t set to expire until 2028.
Pearsall, selected 31st overall out of Florida, entered the league with a four-year, fully guaranteed $12.5 million rookie deal signed in June 2024. His debut season was anything but ordinary—after surviving a gunshot wound to the chest in a robbery attempt in August 2024, Pearsall battled back to play in 11 games, finishing with 31 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns. His late-season surge, including an eight-catch, 141-yard performance against the Detroit Lions in Week 17, showcased his potential as a dynamic weapon in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
The extension, averaging $16 million per year, catapults Pearsall into the upper echelon of NFL wide receivers—a surprising leap for a player with less than a full season under his belt. The move comes as the 49ers face uncertainty with stars like Deebo Samuel, whose contract situation remains unresolved, and Brandon Aiyuk, who is recovering from a season-ending ACL injury suffered in 2024. With both veterans potentially on the way out, San Francisco appears to be betting big on Pearsall as the future of its receiving corps.
“This is about securing a player we believe can be a cornerstone for years to come,” said GM John Lynch at a press conference announcing the deal. “Ricky’s toughness, his growth, and what he showed us late in the year—it’s special. We didn’t want to wait.”
Analysts are split on the decision. ESPN’s Mina Kimes called it “a bold, borderline reckless investment,” noting, “Pearsall’s got the tools—speed, hands, route savvy—but $64 million after one partial season is a massive projection.” On the flip side, Pro Football Focus praised the move, pointing to Pearsall’s 64.1 receiving grade and low 3.1% drop rate in 2024 as evidence of his upside. “If he builds on those final two games, this could look like a steal,” PFF’s Bradley Locker wrote.
At 6-foot-1 and 189 pounds, Pearsall brings a blend of agility and fearlessness that fits Shanahan’s system. His college stats—159 catches for 2,240 yards across five seasons at Arizona State and Florida—hinted at his potential, but it was his resilience after the shooting and his chemistry with quarterback Brock Purdy that sealed the deal for the 49ers’ brass. “He’s a fighter,” Shanahan said. “You don’t come back from what he did and perform like that without something extra.”
Fan reaction on social media has been electric. “Ricky Pearsall at $16M a year? Niners are cooking for the future!” one X user posted. Others were more skeptical: “Love the kid, but this is WAY too much too soon. What’s the rush?”
The financial implications are significant. With Purdy’s extension talks looming and a tight cap situation, the 49ers may be forced to part ways with Samuel or restructure other deals to accommodate Pearsall’s new contract. The extension also includes a fifth-year option from his rookie deal, giving San Francisco flexibility through 2033 if they choose to exercise it.
For Pearsall, the deal is a testament to his whirlwind journey. “I’ve been through a lot this year,” he said in a statement. “To have this kind of trust from the team—it’s humbling. I’m ready to repay it on the field.”
As the 49ers look to rebound from a rollercoaster 2024, Pearsall’s extension adds a new layer of intrigue. If his late-season heroics are a sign of things to come, San Francisco may have locked in a star at the perfect moment. If not, this could go down as one of the boldest gambles in franchise history.
