The San Francisco 49ers have traded TE Vance McDonald and a fifth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a fourth-round pick in next years draft the teams announce Tuesday.
This move allows the steelers to upgrade at tight end in an already loaded offense. McDonald who signed a three year $19.7 million contract extension in December had caught career highs in receiving yards (391) and touchdowns (four) in 11 games before ending the season early with a shoulder injury.
Jesse James served as Pittsburgh’s main tight end last year, seeing 60 targets. He caught 39 of them for 338 yards and three touchdowns. Ladarius Green, was limited all season due to injuries.
The Niners shopped McDonald at the draft dead line something Shanahan acknowledged. After being pleased with rookie George Kittle’s progress in camp in regard to run blocking and route running he figured to make him a large part of the offense, making McDonald expendable.
A second-round pick in 2013 McDonald has had injury troubles along with struggling with drops during his tenure with the Niners. Hes missed 16 games over four seasons and has a 15.8 drop percentage, highest among qualified TE’s. While these injuries could be trouling for a high paid players, it will be the 49er’s taking on the $7 million signing bonus which shouldn’t be a problem for the team with the most cap space in the league.
“We would like to thank Vance for his contributions to this organization on the field and in the community over the last four seasons,” Lynch said in an official statement made by the 49ers. “Although I have only known Vance for a short time, I quickly learned that he and his wife, Kendi, have been tremendous representatives for the team in the community and their service to others is quite commendable. We wish the McDonald family all the best as they move on to a new opportunity in Pittsburgh.”
