Nnamdi Asomugha is headed back to the West Coast, but this time he’ll be suiting up just south of Oakland.
The former Raiders and Eagles cornerback finally decided on his next team, agreeing to join the San Francisco 49ers, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The deal appears to be a one-year pact worth up to $3 million, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, who also reports Asomugha didn’t want any guaranteed money in the contract.
Asomugha wasn’t on the market very long during his first trip to free agency in 2011 and got $25 million in guaranteed money from the eagles. But the relationship didn’t work out after two disappointing seasons in Philadelphia. This time, the 31-year-old Asomugha was on the market a lot longer, taking more than three weeks to decide on the 49ers, and it appears he’s deadset on reestablishing his value.
The four-time All-Pro corner did have a few other suitors this offseason, most notably the Saints. He took visits to San Francisco and New Orleans at different times, but ultimately saw the 49ers as a better fit. And who could blame him? The 49ers are coming off a Super Bowl appearance and built to win now, whereas the Saints finished under .500 and have a number of questions to answer heading into 2013.
Asomugha’s disinterest in guaranteed money is an unusual but interesting play for such a high-profile player. It shows that he doesn’t want anything given to him and instead wants to ear whatever he makes next season. If Asomugha plays up to the potential that once made him such a sought after free agent, he could always be in line for another huge payday next offseason, too.
Whatever the 49ers do end up getting from Asomugha, on paper at least they are already a much better team.
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