Joe Staley signs 2-year extension with 49ers

SANTA CLARA - The 49ers showed off their new home in style Thursday while quietly making a move to protect quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s blindside.

After an extravagant ribbon-cutting ceremony to open Levi’s Stadium, the 49ers announced left tackle Joe Staley has signed a two-year contract extension that will run through the 2019 season.

The 29-year-old Staley, who had wanted a new deal this offseason, was among the players at the event.

“We both felt it was time to get something done, and what I’m most excited about is the opportunity to play my whole entire career as a San Francisco 49er,” Staley said later on a conference call with reporters. “That was one of my goals that I set out to do as a rookie coming into the NFL - make an NFL roster, become a starter, win a Super Bowl and play my whole entire career with one team.”

Staley’s extension is the latest move in a busy offseason that has seen some of San Francisco’s biggest offensive contributors get new deals - and others take strong measures in hopes of getting one.

Last month, the 49ers rewarded Kaepernick with a six-year extension worth up to $126 million. Tight end Vernon Davis and right guard Alex Boone, though, have held out of the team’s voluntary offseason workout program and mandatory minicamp despite two years left on their current contracts.

Rather than sit out this summer, Staley participated in the team’s offseason activities.

Staley has earned Pro Bowl honors the past three seasons while guarding Kaepernick’s back and helping to anchor the 49ers’ power running game.