49ers general manager John Lynch on Friday translated the already clear writing on the wall. The team won’t pick up the fifth-year option on defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.
This doesn’t come as a huge surprise given how Kinlaw’s first three years have gone. He showed flashes as a rookie, but then had his next two seasons derailed by injury. Kinlaw has played in just 10 games since 2021 with very little success.
Not picking up his option doesn’t mean his time in red and gold is over. The salary for that fifth-year would’ve been a fully-guaranteed $11,665,000. Even if he stays healthy and plays well during the 2023 campaign, re-signing him would cost less than that $11.6 million fully-guaranteed number.
This is a big year for Kinlaw, who appears to finally be healthy going into the offseason. If he can put together a full season and take steps forward he’d help himself while also adding another weapon to a good 49ers defensive line.
