In the previous off season, the San Francisco 49ers saw a mass departure of players; they are starting to prevent that this year as they aim to ink tight end Garrett Celek to an extension pact.
Currently, Celek is still under contract with the 49ers, but his one-year deal which was signed as a restricted free agent is expiring this March.
Celek's performance in the 2015 season made the 49ers prioritize his signing to an extension, which, according to reports, is close to happening.
The 27-year-old tight end had a career-year in the previous season and if it weren't not for an ankle injury, he could have done better.
Celek started in eight of 11 regular season games played, the most starts he had in his young National Football League (NFL) career.
Along with that, the former Michigan State Spartan recorded career-bests with his 19 receptions for 186 yards and three touchdowns.
Celek will try to thrive and do better than he did last season under the 49ers' new head coach Chip Kelly, who was hired last month after getting sacked by the Philadelphia Eagles.
According to ESPN, the trade deal that saw San Francisco let go of veteran tight end Vernon Davis in the previous season is expected to help Celek get more playing time in the upcoming 2016 season.
The 49ers had a tough 2015 season, finishing last in the National Football Conference (NFC) West with a 5–11 record, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
Since the franchise made it to Super Bowl XLVII in the 2012 season and fell to the Baltimore Ravens, it has been a downhill slope.
Following a Super Bowl year, the 49ers still made it to the conference championship in the 2013 season but were topped by the eventual champions Seattle Seahawks.
The defeat to Seattle marked the last time the team saw playoff action, and the 49eres are hoping they can return to the stage this time.
