San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis is skipping voluntary offseason workouts to leverage his absence into a new contract.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that Davis is staying away from OTAs because he wants a new deal, according to a source informed of the player's situation. Rapoport also reported the 49ersknew of Davis' desire for a new deal well before OTAs began. CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco first reported Davis' dissatisfaction with his contract situation.
Davis still has two years remaining on the six-year, $42.7 million contract he signed in 2010.
Coach Jim Harbaugh brushed off Davis' absence Wednesday, citing the voluntary nature of the workouts.
However, Davis is sacrificing his annual $200,000 workout bonus in order to protest. The tight end would also be subject to additional fines if he takes the holdout into mid-June and misses the 49ers' mandatory minicamp.
Davis, 30, is set to make $5.1 million and $4.95 million over the next two seasons. The eight-year pro is coming off a 13 touchdown, 850-yard season. His average salary of $7.4 million over the course of the deal ranks third among tight ends.
The tight end joins guard Alex Boone in sitting out with two years on his deal, while hoping for a pay increase, per Rapoport.
The list of players who the 49ers will need to pay soon is already long: quarterback Colin Kaepernick, wide receiver Michael Crabtree, guard Mike Iupati and, presumably, linebacker Aldon Smith. And that doesn't include a new contract for Harbaugh.
When teams win like the 49ers have in recent year, everybody wants to get paid.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" breaks down the news and discusses players who could be summertime trade targets.