49ers working on new contract for Michael Wilhoite

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After once being considered expendable, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Michael Wilhoite is now viewed as a critical piece of the team going forward. 

The 49ers are working on a new deal for Wilhoite, general manager Trent Baalke said Friday. Wilhoite has yet to sign his exclusive-rights tender, but a new contract would make that irrelevant. 

Wilhoite was the subject of trade rumors in early March, but that was before linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland abruptly retired. What was once considered a position of depth for the 49ers is now rather thin. 

There's a strong chance the 49ers will address the need early in the draft, but locking Wilhoite up at least gives them some depth and a player familiar with their system. He started every game last season, making 87 tackles. 

The 49ers will also take solace in the fact that NaVorro Bowman is expected to participate in offseason workouts. Bowman missed all of 2014 recovering from a major knee injury.