The San Francisco 49ers were unlikely to bring starting left guard Aaron Banks back after his rookie contract. Banks gave the team serviceable play and was available for the majority of his rookie contract.

But in free agency, offensive linemen tend to make above what we project in the market. It happens every year. Nobody thought Mike McGlinchey was worth $87.5 million two years ago in the public space. All it takes is one team.

Like McGlinchey, Banks would inevitably be priced out of the 49ers market they’ve shown they’re willing to pay at their respective positions.

Ahead of free agency, a report came out saying Banks would be paid like one of the six best guards in the NFL. On Monday afternoon, Banks signed a four-year, $77 million contract with the Green Bay Packers. The report said the contract would be anywhere between $18 and $20 million. Banks will make $19.25 annually.

Over the past three years, Banks started 43 games for the 49ers, including 13 games this past season. At 27 years old, he was slated to be one of, if not the top guard on the free agent market, and he cashes in with a big long-term contract for a contender.

For the 49ers, Banks’s departure was expected, and the team began to prepare for that by bringing back Ben Bartch on a one-year deal prior to free agency. Currently, he’s slated to be the starting left guard next season.

San Francisco’s offensive line currently consists of Trent Williams, Bartch, Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni, and Colton McKivitz. We’ll see if that changes before the start of next year.