49ers Give Rice $31.3M Deal
Jerry Rice's new deal with the 49ers gives him the chance to finish his career in San Francisco, and the NFL's career receiving leader says that's something money can't buy.
While questions continue to swirl over the future of Steve Young, the 37-year-old Rice on Tuesday signed a restructured five-year, incentive-laden $31 million contract that enabled the payroll-stressed 49ers to save $1.2 million against the salary cap.
General manager Bill Walsh insisted that Rice replace some of his base salary with incentives to alleviate what had been a $5.49 million cap impact.
"I feel real good about this situation," Rice said. "It was give and take. I think the most important thing is that I got my wish. This is where I wanted to finish my career."
That is a goal that could elude Young, who combined with Rice to form the NFL's most prolific touchdown pass tandem.
Young, 38, missed the last 13 games of the season after a head blow left him with his fourth concussion in three years. He is considering whether to retire or continue playing with the 49ers or possibly move to another team. Young's decision is expected before Saturday.
"I don't know what Steve is going to do right now, but it's going to be hard not to see him throwing a football back there," Rice said. "Anything can happen. It's in his hands. I would love to have Steve back."
Rice, a 12-time Pro Bowler, remained San Francisco's leading receiver in 1999 with 67 catches for 830 yards and five TDs. He said he can't help wondering how he's managed to secure his stay with the 49ers while Young's future hangs in the balance. And while other 49ers greats such as Joe Montana, Roger Craig and Ronnie Lott went elsewhere to play out their careers.
"It makes me feel real special, because I have always looked at this as a business," Rice said. "It happened to Joe and Ronnie and all those guys. I said to myself, 'Why should I be an exception?' I think it shows a lot, what the 49ers did. I am going to do everything possible to just go out and be a positive this year, no negativity, and just have fun."
Rice said the new deal would probably be his last and he intends to make the most of the playing time he has left before hanging it up in a year or two.
"I can see that coming," Rice said. "It is something we all have to face, but it is difficult to deal with. I know it is coming down the road, but I feel like I can still be productive and I am going to do everything possible to do that."
Long the go-to guy in San Francisco's offense, Rice added he'll embrace his new role as mentor to the younger receivers on a team in the midst of an overhaul after going 4-12 last season.
"This team basiclly is in a rebuilding stage," Rice said. "It shows the character of the 49ers to keep some of the veterans around. I am just fortunate I am going to be part of it this year and hopefully next year. I look forward to just going out and playing hard-nosed football, trying to set a good example for the younger guys. I am glad to get it done."
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