The 49ers have not engaged in recent contract talks with cornerback Tarell Brown, who appears on pace to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, sources told CSNBayArea.com on Sunday.
Brown lost a $2 million escalator from his scheduled 2013 salary because he did not complete the fifth and final – and easiest requirement -- to kick in his $2.95 million salary for this season.
CBS Sports reported a new deal for Brown that would allow him to recoup the lost money is likely to be completed this month. But two sources told CSNBayArea.com that there has been no recent negotiations toward a new contract.
Brown knowingly forfeited a $75,000 workout bonus due to his preference to remain in the Dallas area in the offseason and take part in workouts with his trainer Jon Drummond, a former Olympic sprinter.
But agent, Brian Overstreet, failed to make Brown aware that he stood to lose $2 million due to his absence in the 49ers’ voluntary nine-week program. Brown subsequently fired Overstreet and hired Joel Segal to represent him.
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General manager Trent Baalke spoke last week in London about the complexities of working out a new deal with Brown, who could recover up to $1 million via malpractice insurance.
“There’s going to be money coming in from different avenues (to him), and we’re going to do our best to make it right,” Baalke said. “What is right? I don’t know the answer to that. We’re going to do our best to make sure that T-Brown feels like he’s been treated fairly by the 49ers organization.
“There are different layers to how we can structure and put something together."
Brown is making $925,000 in base salary with a $500,000 roster bonus, which makes him the 15th highest-paid defensive player on the 49ers this season.
After it was learned Brown’s salary would drop $2 million, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said on July 28 that Brown deserved to recover his scheduled salary.
"Just think there's a solution there," Harbaugh said. "I don't know that it's any one particular thing, but you explore all those options and find the solution. It's there, we just got to do some work and get it done. We're motivated to do that because he deserves it, he's earned it. I don't want to see him playing for the minimum when he's a starting, top-line player."
