Bill Williamson, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

In the end, Vernon Davis couldn't stay away

 

The Vernon Davis holdout ended Wednesday just as I envisioned -- with him being welcomed jubilantly by his teammates.

Davis, the San Francisco 49ers' star tight end, loves the spotlight. I just couldn’t see him staying away from the 49ers once players started reporting to training camp.

So, any worry of his absence affecting the team’s run at the Super Bowl has been averted. Sure, Davis likely isn’t happy with his contract. But that really is secondary.

The point is that Davis knows the best approach to get a new deal is to go to camp (and save $30,000 a day in fines if he didn't show up) and prove to the 49ers he deserves a new contract.

The reality is that it may take a while for Davis to get a new deal. The 49ers have already made the 30-year-old a top-paid tight end, and there are other priorities.

Davis may have to wait a year or even until his deal expires after the 2015 season to get a new contract. But he can earn it by remaining a top player in the 49ers’ offense and helping them win the Super Bowl.

The only way that can happen is if he is fully invested in the team. He proved that Wednesday by showing up.

Meanwhile, don’t expect Davis' approach to affect the team’s other holdout, guard Alex Boone. Unlike Davis, Boone is just 27, and he is the 43rd-highest-paid guard in the NFL. He is entrenched in his holdout. He is not showing up on time. The two sides are not close.

While the 49ers saw one crisis end, there is still one brewing as the team gears up for the 2014 season.

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