San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary, second from right, gives instruction to linebacker Patrick Willis, second from left, and other linebackers during 49ers NFL football mini-camp at 49ers headquarters in...

12 Nov 2009: Bears #22 Matt Forte (RB) is tackled by 49ers #52 Patrick Willis as the 49ers beat the Bears 10-6 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco California

October 4, 2009; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (52) jumps for a sack on St. Louis Rams quarterback Kyle Boller (12) during the fourth...

...of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass while being rushed by (L-R) Michael Lewis #32, Patrick Willis #52 and Parys Haralson #98 of the San Francisco 49ers at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome...

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) is hit by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (52) in the second quarter during an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 20...

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) is hit by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (52) in the second quarter during an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 20...

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis intercepts a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jerheme Urban during the first half of...

...York Jets wide receiver Brad Smith (16) takes a hard hit from San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (52) after making a catch in the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, CA...

Patrick Willis makes plays all over the place

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) runs on a keeper into San Francisco 49ers Patrick Willis (52) and Dashon Goldson but is stopped for no gain in the third quarter during an...

...center, is brought down by San Francisco 49ers' Ray McDonald, top left, Demetric Evans, bottom, and Patrick Willis, top right, during the third quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Nov...

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard is chased out of bounds by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009...

Sep 7, 2008; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (52) during 23-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at Monster Park

Staley's contract could serve as a benchmark for negotiations with Patrick Willis this year

...back Ronnie Brown (23) runs with the ball while being chased by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (52) during the fourth quarter of the game at Dolphin Stadium. The Dolphins defeated the 49ers...