San Francisco 49ers Patrick Willis expected to Retire

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis is expected to announce his retirement, Yahoo Sports reported.

The 30-year-old was selected by the 49ers in the 2007 NFL draft. In his eight seasons in San Francisco, Willis recorded 950 tackles, 20.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles and eight interceptions. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler and was selected to the first-team All-Pro five times. Willis was the first ever 49ers defensive rookie to be named to a Pro Bowl and first-temm All-Pro since Ronnie Lott did it when he entered the league in 1981.

In 2014, Willis only played in six regular-season games before he was sidelined due to surgery on his left toe. Willis' contract is signed through to the end of the 2016 season. He was scheduled to make $8.315 million this year in salary and bonuses.

He is expected to make his formal retirement announcement on Tuesday. On top of Willis' impending departure, the 49ers are expected to lose veteran defensive lineman Justin Smith and running back Frank Gore.

Smith, 35, has reportedly thought about retirement for some time now. His three-year contract worth $17.1 million ends after this season. He played in all 16 regular games last season and recorded five sacks.

"Out of respect to Justin, I've told him, I will not try to talk him into anything," 49ers first-year head coach Jim Tomsula said at the NFL Scouting Combine. "And I will not try to talk him out of anything. He has earned the right to make his decision on his terms. We said that for the last three or four years."

If Smith does retire, he will finish his long career with 880 tackles and 87 sacks. He will sit in 46th place on the NFL's all-time sacks list.

Running back Gore is expected to sign a three-year contract with $7.5 million guarantee in the first two years with the Philadelphia Eagles.