Frank Gore's New Contract a Complete Win for San Francisco Amidst Trade Rumors

Considering the current market for top-tier running backs, the San Francisco 49ers just got an absolute steal.

The 49ers signed veteran Frank Gore to a three-year, $21 million dollar contract with $13.5 million in guaranteed money/ While there are some concerns about Gore's heath, the contract extension couldn't have been more of a win for the 'Niners faithful.

Gore, in his six years with San Francisco, has led the team in rushing every year. He has a total of 6,414 rushing yards on 1,371 attempts (4.7 average) for 35 touchdowns, and has caught 270 passes for 2,283 yards and nine touchdowns.

His stats alone make him one of the top RBs in the league, but for the 49ers, he's more than that. He's the most consistent offensive player on a team that otherwise has an very inconsistent offense. Rumors swirled that if he didn't get a new contract he'd ask for a trade. Re-signing him was a complete necessity for the 'Niners, and given the value of the new contract, it was a complete win for San Francisco.

Not that it wasn't a win for Frank Gore as well. Gore was visibly frustrated with the contract talks over the past few weeks, and getting this done not only elevates that problem from Gore—the heart and soul of the 'Niners offense—it also puts the locker room somewhat at ease. As the 49ers have proven with the extensions to LB Patrick Willis and TE Veron Davis, they are willing to pay players who deserve it.

In a conference call last week transcribed by Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, Gore said he was glad to have the extension over with. "It's real big, especially knowing that the team drafted me and stepped up and told me they want me here for my whole career, and to my fans, I'm a 'Niner for life...It's blessing. I'm a 'Niner, and I'm happy."

The biggest concern about Gore remains his health, but while it certainly is a concern, it's an overblown one. In his six-year career, Gore has played in 84 games and missed 10. He didn't play in early contests as a rookie as he rehabbed from the knee surgery he had following his career at Miami, and last year he was out after Week 12 with a hip fracture.

So, while it's not as if the 'Niners are signing a glass canon, giving Gore a three-year contract, rather than a longer one (and thus more guaranteed money) is very smart at this point in his career. It signs Gore up—assuming he stays completely healthy and lasts through his whole contract—until he's 32 years old.

If, in the next four seasons that he's under contract, he can play in 75 percent of those contests before fading out, it'll be an absolute steal of a signing.

Last month, the Carolina Panthers signed veteran running back DeAngelo Williams to a five-year, $43 million dollar contract with $21 million guaranteed. He led his team in rushing just once in five seasons. He's gained 4,211 yards on 841 carries (5.0 average) for 31 TDs and has caught 118 receptions passes for 922 yards. In his five seasons, he's missed 16 games—including 10 gamers last season.

The less-productive Williams will get the entirety of Gore's contract guaranteed in Carolina even if he lasts just as long as Gore does.

Gore said repeatedly during the offseason that he wanted the contract negotiations resolved so he could focus on football. Now that he's on contract for four more years, he can hopefully put all that aside and focus on what he does best.

But for San Francisco fans, this is also a sigh of relief. The 49ers keep the heart of their offense—on a safe contract and below market value.