Top center turns down more money from the Jets to return to 49ers

Considered one of the top centers on the market, Jake Brendel could have gotten a larger payday had he signed with another team.

But according to a report from The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt, Brendel turned down more money from the New York Jets — and perhaps the chance to block for Aaron Rodgers — to return to the San Francisco 49ers, agreeing to a four-year, $20 million contract on Tuesday.

He’s the fifth center to land a new contract, joining Buffalo’s Connor McGovern, Carolina’s Bradley Bozeman, Minnesota’s Garrett Bradberry and Philadelphia’s Jason Kelce. McGovern was the only one to sign with a new team.

Among centers, Brendel was the 11th-best pass blocker and 25th-best run blocker in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus. He allowed just 14 pressures, 10 hurries, three hits and one sack on 1,252 offensive snaps in his first year as a starter.