San Francisco 49ers fans will be treated to at least one more season of stability on the left side of the offensive line. Joe Staley plans to return in 2019 to play at least one more season for head coach Kyle Shanahan, the left tackle told Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee.
Staley agreed to a reworked contract in April, receiving a pay bump from $10.97 million over the next two years to $17.4 million over the same timeframe. The new deal was strictly an increase in pay and did not add years to the contract, which still runs through the next season.
"After that, it'll be my decision," Staley told Biderman.
The 49ers made Staley, who is in his 12th NFL season, the 28th-overall pick out of Central Michigan in 2007. He has missed just four starts over the last eight seasons and started every game this season. Staley, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, is still regarded as one of the best tackles in the league.
Staley has contemplated retirement in the past. He did so as recently as last year when San Francisco struggled early in Shanahan's first season. While the 49ers are amid a three-win season this year, Staley seems rejuvenated by the arrival of rookie tackle Mike McGlinchey, who anchors the opposite side of the offensive line.
"Naturally, I think they hit it off as friends," Shanahan told reporters on Friday. "I think they both like each other. They both respect each other. I think it's neat that they're both playing tackle. I'm sure Joe can see a little bit of himself in him, just coming in as a first-round pick. They've hit it off.
"I think it's been great because Mike does look up to him, I think. You'd have to ask him. They hang together. They bounce a lot of things off each other.
"I think it's neat for the other reasons, too. You've got a young tackle. I think they compete with each other. They are friends, but they also give each other a lot of, I'm always at a loss for words when I can't swear. They mess with each other a lot. It's been a good back and forth where I think they both bring the best out of each other."
McGlinchey, the 49ers' first-round selection from April's draft, appreciates having Staley as a teammate, friend, and mentor.
"It's great to have somebody to be close with," McGlinchey said in June, "and also has the experience that he does, and the knowledge that he does, and be able to bounce things off of him that I'm working through and that I'm trying to do.
"He's been there for me every step of the way, not only from football but also in getting acclimated and having fun here in the Bay Area. He's an awesome guy, and I'm very, very lucky to be in the situation that I'm in."
The feeling from Staley is mutual.
"We're pretty much inseparable when it comes to football," Staley said on Thursday during a KNBR interview. "He thinks exactly the way I do. He sees the game of football the same kind of way I do. He's been a pleasure to work with, and I didn't think a rookie coming in was going to be as fun to work with as he has (been)."
Staley has been in a lot of offensive systems during his lengthy career in San Francisco. In the past five seasons alone, he has been a part of four different coaching regimes. This year is Staley's second within Shanahan's system, and the head coach believes the veteran is getting even better.
"I thought Staley had a good year last year, and I think he's improved a lot this year," Shanahan said.