The San Francisco 49ers and franchised safety Dashon Goldson have until 4 p.m. ET next Monday to reach a multiyear extension. While Goldson would like a little more long-term security, he is prepared for the possibility that he will have to play out the season under his $6.212 million franchise tag.
Coaches Film, only on NFL.com
Purchase NFL Game Rewind and receive access to Coaches Film, which includes camera angles previously only available to coaches, scouts and officials.
"I’m hoping something long term will happen," Goldson said during a Tuesday appearance with Alex Marvez and Randy Cross on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "I’m not taking anything personally. I look at it as a business move on (San Francisco’s) part. That’s just the business.
"If I have to play for the tag, I’ll play for the tag. But any guy would love long-term security."
After his first two seasons as a starter, Goldson turned down a five-year, $25 million contract offer from the 49ers and became an unrestricted free agent after the lockout. Though he drew interest from the New England Patriots, Goldson returned to the 49ers on a one-year deal worth $2 million.
Goldson, who had a career-high six interceptions and earned Pro Bowl honors for the first time in 2011, has not yet signed his franchise tag. He could be seeking a contract similar to the $7 million per season that franchised safety Michael Griffin received from the Tennessee Titans, or perhaps the $8 million per year that San Diego Chargers safety Eric Weddle received after last year's lockout. Goldson, who turns 28 in September, acknowledged that playing under repeated one-year contracts is not an ideal scenario.
"All these one-year/one-year (contracts) is not what any player would want," said Goldson. "We know what we put our bodies through and what we do for our teams. But it’s all good. There’s no love lost or anything like that. I just hope something will get done. If not, I’ll still be a 49er."