49ers Considering Extensions For Players Including RB Carlos Hyde & DB Jimmie Ward

According to Charles Robinson, the 49ers won’t splurge on free agents in the coming years, despite the mountain of cap space they’re sitting on.

Instead, Robinson says that the 49ers are eyeing contract extensions for RB Carlos Hyde and DB Jimmie Ward among others.

49ers GM Trent Baalke confirmed that this will be their approach in the coming years.

“That’s historically what wins,” Baalke said. “It’s tough to buy championships in any sport [but] it’s damn near impossible in the National Football League. … We absolutely have a young core group of guys that are going to move into their second contracts here. And I think people will see that this year as it unfolds. The Aaron Lynchs. The Jimmie Wards. The Carlos Hydes. They’re good football players and they’re only going to get better.”

Hyde, 24, is a former second-round pick of the 49ers back in 2014. He’s currently in the third year of his four-year, $3.681 million rookie contract and stands to make base salaries of $654,698 and $822,047 over the next two years.

In 2015, Hyde appeared in seven games and ran for 470 yards on 115 carries (4.1 YPC) to go along with 11 receptions for 53 yards receiving and three total touchdowns.

Ward, 25, was taken with the No. 30 overall pick by the 49ers in the 2014 draft. He’s in the third year of his four-year, $7.112 million rookie contract and stands to make base salaries of $1,066,594 and $690,000 over the next two years.

In 2015, Ward recorded 56 tackles, a sack, an interception returned for a touchdown and six pass defenses.