Trent Baalke Extension: San Francisco 49ers Are Set for Years to Come

The San Francisco 49ers extended general manager Trent Baalke through the 2016 NFL season, a move that signals the organization is becoming stable again for the first time in a decade.

Baalke was named Executive of the Year by the Pro Football Writers Association for the 2011 season, which was Baalke’s first official year as general manager for the 49ers. 

He took over for Scot McCloughan after the former general manager was let go under strange circumstances in March of 2010 due to a “mutual decision.” McCloughan wrote that “longstanding personal issues” were in play (my own personal opinion is that McCloughan and Mike Singletary didn't get along, but I have no facts to back that up).

Baalke was then thrust into the limelight rather abruptly as the 2010 NFL draft was only one month away. His first draft was stellar, marred only by the team's second-round pick, Taylor Mays, who was a Singletary decision. 

Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati, taken in the first round of that draft, are developing into a couple of good offensive linemen. Iupati could become one of the league's best.

NaVorro Bowman was an absolute steal when Baalke took him in the third round.

Anthony Dixon, Nate Byham (who will be back and a major part of the offense next year) and Kyle Williams were all solid picks in the sixth round of the 2010 draft.

Not bad for a man who had just got the gig a month earlier.

Baalke followed up his 2010 season with a brilliant, award-winning showing in 2011.Though it is impossible to give a complete grade to the job he did with the 2011 NFL draft for a few more years, I think it's safe to say he hit a few home runs.

Aldon Smith, Chris Culliver, Kendall Hunter and Bruce Miller all contributed in major ways to the 49ers' outstanding 2011 season. 

Baalke saved the best for last, too. 

His handling of the hectic, lockout-shortened free agency signing period can only be described as brilliant. 

Baalke refused to make any hasty decisions. He didn't bite at the Nnamdi Asomugha bait, waiting in the shadows and surprising most of us when he took Carlos Rogers at a bargain rate instead (one-year $2.13 million).

He allowed Dashon Goldson to test the free market, shoring up his spot on the roster with Madieu Williams, until Goldson came back with his tail in between his legs to sign a one-year deal worth a mere $1.2 million. Somehow, I believe Goldson won't fight as hard this time around.

He allowed a sulky Aubrayo Franklin to also test the market. Franklin couldn't stomach doing what Goldson did and signed with the New Orleans Saints, a one-year $4 million deal. Franklin's absence wasn't felt much, as Isaac Sopoaga came in and performed even better, anchoring the best rushing defense in the NFL.

He signed Donte Whitner to a three-year deal worth $11.75 million, just under $4 million per year. Whitner was an absolute beast as the starting strong safety for the 49ers, and he and Goldson complement one another to perfection.

The Braylon Edwards experiment failed miserably, but Baalke knew the risks and ended up only paying $1 million. 

The point is Baalke is a shrewd evaluator of NFL talent. He knows how to play hardball at the negotiating table, and he's not afraid to pay people what they're worth instead of what they think they're worth. 

The 49ers are set for years to come. Baalke will have five more drafts with which to mold and shape the foundations of this team before his next contract is up. 

Things are going to keep getting better, and the San Francisco 49ers are well on their way to becoming a dominant franchise once again.

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