National Football League

Report: 49ers to meet with Gore's agent

Published Aug. 27, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The San Francisco 49ers will meet Monday with Frank Gore's representative about a new contract, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Saturday.

The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the privacy surrounding contract talks, confirmed a meeting is scheduled between the team and Drew Rosenhaus.

Gore's unsettled contract situation has been a point of frustration during training camp for the two-time Pro Bowler, though he has said he will accept becoming a free agent after this season if he doesn't get a new deal. Gore would like a long-term contract to stay put with the 49ers, and new coach Jim Harbaugh is optimistic it will happen. General manager Trent Baalke said this past week he would like to make Gore a ''49er for life.''

Gore has said he hopes to receive a new deal before the Sept. 11 opener against the defending NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks.

Gore has played more in the preseason than he's used to - and more than he likes, for that matter - but has said he is willing to do whatever Harbaugh asks. Harbaugh didn't start him for Saturday night's home game with Houston, as Anthony Dixon played with the first-team offense.

The 28-year-old Gore, who held out for the first four days of training camp, missed the final five games of 2010 with a broken right hip. He was injured in a Monday night game at Arizona on Nov. 29.

Gore would like a contract comparable to the $43 million, five-year deal running back DeAngelo Williams - 20 days older than San Francisco's star - recently received from the Carolina Panthers. That includes $21 million guaranteed. Williams was sidelined for 10 games last year with a sprained right foot.

Gore begins the year third on the franchise career rushing list. He needs 931 yards to be No. 1, but has said that's not his top priority. The 49ers have endured eight straight seasons without a playoff berth or winning record.

He ran for 853 yards and three touchdowns last year in his sixth NFL season and caught 46 passes for 452 yards and two TDs. Gore's 24 100-yard rushing games are the most in 49ers history.

The 49ers rewarded two other big stars with long-term contracts last year.

On the eve of the 2010 season opener, tight end Vernon Davis signed a five-year extension worth $37 million overall, including $34 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history. In May of last year, All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis received a $50 million, five-year contract extension that takes him through the 2016 season and includes $29 million in guaranteed money. He earns $10 million per season.