... this spring, taking advantage of the lack of a salary cap to give perennial All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis just reward for his early career success, while securing him in red and gold for the next five seasons.

The move marked a departure from the normal salary cap-mandated work around of a back-heavy contract, and gave the young linebacker a large sum of money up front, while reducing the pay-out later in the contract, thus lessening the cap hit when it inevitably returns to the NFL.

This move was the perfect storm. In a classic win-win scenario, the 49ers made a tremendous investment in their promising future, locking up a uniquely talented player through the prime of his career. ...

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