Offensive tackle Garry Gilliam made just one start for the 49ers last season before sustaining a season-ending knee injury. But he showed the team enough to stick around for a while.
Gilliam signed a two-year contract with the 49ers on Tuesday to prevent him from hitting the free-agent market next week.
The deal, which the NFL Network reported is worth $8 million with $4 million guaranteed, is likely an insurance policy for a team that has some uncertainty in the future at right tackle.
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The re-signing of Gilliam is likely an insurance policy against the realistic possibility Trent Brown does not have a long-term future with the club.
Brown, a talented three-year veteran, is rehabilitating from shoulder surgery. His readiness to play this season might not be known until much later in the offseason. Brown is entering the final year of his contract and there are questions about his future with the organization.
Gilliam, 27, is known as a respected, hard-working player who has the athleticism to succeed in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
Gilliam started 34 games, including playoffs, for the Seattle Seahawks in his first three NFL seasons. He moved into the starting lineup in Week 8 due to an injury to Brown. But Gilliam sustained a medial-collateral injury to his left knee and was placed on season-ending injured reserve.
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