Luke Gifford

Career StatsF

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		90	130	—	1
2025		17	35	0.0	0
2024		16	49	0.0	1
2023		11

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

This signing grades out as a solid deal for the San Francisco 49ers — the team is getting significantly more on-field production than what they're paying for. Luke's on-field performance ranks in the upper half among NFL LBs, grading him as a solid starter at the position. His $2.5M average annual value ranks as bargain money for the LB market. The production-to-cost ratio is favorable — solid starter output at a bargain price point represents solid asset management. Luke is squarely in his prime, which adds to the deal's upside — the team should get multiple productive seasons out of this contract. The 2-year, $5.0M deal ($2.0M guaranteed, 40%) keeps the commitment short, giving the team financial flexibility to move on if performance drops.

Performance Analysis

At 30 years old and seven seasons into his NFL career, Luke Gifford sits firmly in replacement-level territory as a between-the-tackles linebacker, and his performance grade reflects a player whose stat line — 35 tackles across 17 games — is more depth-chart filler than impact production. The durability is there, as playing in all 17 games demonstrates he can be counted on to be available, but availability without dominance is a thin argument for a meaningful defensive role. The tackle volume is modest at best for a linebacker logging a full season, signaling that his defensive snaps are limited and his production ceiling in that phase of the game is low. Where Gifford genuinely earns his roster spot is on special teams, and his first Pro Bowl selection as a special teams contributor confirms that his value to San Francisco is real — just concentrated in a specific, non-glamorous lane. The 49ers re-signed him to a two-year, $5.3M deal, which the media rightly framed as smart roster management rather than a franchise-defining commitment, valuing him as quality special teams depth and linebacker insurance. For a team currently sitting at 12-5 as the NFC's sixth seed heading into an offseason with 136 days until the regular season, retaining a reliable Pro Bowl special teamer at a modest cap number is exactly the kind of low-risk, high-accountability roster decision that holds a contending roster together. Gifford is what he is — a Pro Bowl-caliber special teamer and a below-average linebacker — and the contract reflects that honest evaluation.

Fan Sentiment

San Francisco locks up a Pro Bowl special teamer on a team-friendly two-year deal — smart, efficient roster building. Five headlines uniformly praise the move, highlighting Gifford's Pro Bowl nod as a significant achievement. His Pro Bowl selection signals elite special teams value, a critical factor in Kyle Shanahan's system. Fans are energized, viewing this as proof the 49ers prioritize special teams culture and depth. Gifford should remain a core special teams ace and occasional linebacker contributor throughout the contract.