49ers make move ahead of free agency by extending young starter McKivitz

SANTA CLARA — Right tackle Colton McKivitz’s first full season as a 49ers’ starter has earned him an extension.

McKivitz agreed to a one-year, $7 million extension with 65-percent of that fully guaranteed, according to his agency, AMDG Sports.

While next week’s free agency might still lure more offensive linemen to the reigning NFC champions, the 49ers have been pro-McKivitz for over a year, and he acquitted himself well last season as Mike McGlinchey’s replacement at right tackle.

McKivitz had one year remaining on his contract, at a 2024 base salary of $2.5 million.

The 49ers have yet to confirm McKivitz’s deal or any other contract moves ahead of Wednesday’s start to the new league year, and the first day that free agents can be signed from other teams. Negotiations with free agents can begin Monday at 9 a.m. PT.

The only offensive starter slated to hit free agency is Jon Feliciano, who took over at right guard in place of Spencer Burford as the 49ers clinched the NFC West, the No. 1 seed and the NFC crown before falling in Super Bowl LVIII. Feliciano came to McKivitz’s defense after that defeat, explaining on Twitter/X that McKivitz was not to blame for a third-down breakdown in pass protection in overtime, but rather it was Burford who missed his assignment while filling in for the injured Feliciano.

McKivitz was a 2020 fifth-round selection out of West Virginia. He got released after the 2021 training camp but battled his way back into the 49ers’ good graces as a replacement starter in 2021 and ’22 before starting every game last season.