Adam Schefter is reporting that the 49ers are trading TE Vance McDonald and a 2018 fifth-round pick to the Steelers for a 2018 fourth-round pick.
The 49ers have already announced the trade.
“We would like to thank Vance for his contributions to this organization on the field and in the community over the last four seasons,” said 49ers General Manager John Lynch. “Although I have only known Vance for a short time, I quickly learned that he and his wife, Kendi, have been tremendous representatives for the team in the community and their service to others is quite commendable. We wish the McDonald family all the best as they move on to a new opportunity in Pittsburgh.”
The 49ers have had McDonald available for trade dating back to the NFL draft, despite signing him to a new extension last year. It appears as though the Steelers felt that they really need to improve their tight end depth before the start of the season, and McDonald should be a decent option for them moving forward.
McDonald, 27, is a former second-round pick of the 49ers back in 2013. He was in the final year of his four-year, $3.599 million contract when the 49ers signed him to a new five-year, $35 million extension that includes $16 million guaranteed in December.
Unfortunately, San Francisco placed him on injured reserve last year.
In 2016, McDonald appeared in 11 games and caught 24 passes for 391 yards receiving and four touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 24 tight end out of 63 qualifying players.
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