Robert Kupbens-USA TODAY Sports
By David Bonilla
Jun 2, 2024 at 4:44 PM
Share this on TwitterShare this on FacebookShare this on ThreadsFlip into FlipboardShare this on RedditShare via SMSShare via Email
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Everything became official today. As reported yesterday, the remaining savings from defensive tackle Arik Armstead's release bumped the San Francisco 49ers' salary cap space from about $8.24 million to a healthy $25.25 million, according to salary cap site OverTheCap.com. That's a $17 million increase overnight.
In March, the 49ers designated Armstead as a post-June 1 release. While the defensive lineman was allowed to immediately sign with another team, the post-June 1 designation offered the 49ers some salary-cap flexibility.
Initially, Armstead was set to count about $28.4 million against the 49ers' 2024 salary cap. Despite his release, he still carries approximately $10.31 million in dead money for 2024 and $15.55 million for 2025, per OverTheCap.com.
The 49ers' current cap space ranks 11th in the NFL, with the New England Patriots leading the pack with approximately $46.44 million.
What will the 49ers do with this newfound financial flexibility? Al Sacco, from the "No Huddle Podcast," suggests strengthening the defensive backfield, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a Super Bowl-contending core.
"As long as they have this core here, it's Super Bowl or bust," Sacco stated. "So, to me, that safety group is a little bit worrisome. If [Talanoa] Hufanga doesn't come back, he's not Hufanga, or he takes a step back, that's a huge blow to them because you got the rookie (Malik Mustapha), and again, you have [George] Odum, who's more of a special teams guy, and Ji'Ayir Brown's a huge question."
Sacco added, "I feel better with [free agent] Justin Simmons in there. Bring a vet in, former All-Pro, Pro Bowler. You have this team that's looking to win the Super Bowl again this year. You got to bring in a guy like that."
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) May 30, 2024One free agent the #49ers should sign after June 1, once some salary cap money frees up.@AudacySports | @AlSacco49 | #FTTB
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE: https://t.co/P4XtOqgLKW pic.twitter.com/Suz2YAXzsw
Considering the increased salary cap space that starting quarterback Brock Purdy will soon consume, the 49ers might be tempted to hold onto a significant portion of the unused funds. The team rolled over about $38 million of last season's unused money into 2024 and could pursue a similar strategy next year to preserve their core.
"Really, we always look at the cap for three years out," general manager John Lynch said last season. "Obviously, we have all that room this year. But really, it's to create room for future years because we roll everything over. It helps us in future years because it creates some room we're going to need."
Regardless, tough decisions lie ahead. The Athletic's Matt Barrows recently stated that the 49ers likely trust that the future financial concerns will resolve themselves.
"There will be some guys who move on," Barrows said during a radio interview. "[T] Trent Williams, no one knows how long he's going to play. It sure seems as if they're going to be saying goodbye to one of their big-time wide receivers next season, and in all likelihood, it's going to be Deebo Samuel.
"I don't know how many more years [FB] Kyle Juszczyk is going to play. So I think there will be some relief with people retiring, with people with outs in certain players' contracts and things like that."
Barrows added, "But to me, it's not even 2025. I mean, it's '26, '27, which is where you're sort of kicking the can down the road with the thought that, okay, the salary cap goes up every year. We're banking on it going up a certain percentage for 2027. That has to happen. And so far, it's been a steady rise and a bigger rise than anticipated each year. That's what the 49ers are banking on."
Related News
- 49ers have plenty of cap space to work with after June 1 Niners Wire • Jun 2
Nobody's perfect. Did you find a mistake in this article?
Report it.
Comments
Do not use the comments to notify us of errors in the article. Editors may not see it. Instead, report errors here.
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers reportedly have $32.7 million in cap space
By David Bonilla
Jun 5
OverTheCap.com has updated its salary cap figures, revealing that the San Francisco 49ers now have about $32.7 million in cap space for 2024. This adjustment follows running back Christian McCaffrey's contract extension, which created approximately $7.46 million in savings for this year's cap, providing the 49ers with additional immediate flexibility.The New England Patriots continue to lead the NFL in cap space with about $46.4 million. The 49ers rank seventh in the league (previously 12th), trailing only the Patriots, Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Las Vegas
Read More
49ers gain about $17 million in cap space
By David Bonilla
Jun 1
The San Francisco 49ers owned about $8.24 million in salary cap space yesterday, per OverTheCap.com. Today, that number jumped to an initial estimate of $25.25 million. This substantial increase is due to the team gaining roughly $17 million in salary-cap savings by designating Arik Armstead as a June 1 cut.Update: Armstead's release was designated a post-June 1 move, which means the salary cap impact occurs on June 2. However, it seems OverTheCap.com has simply already made the adjustment to their figures.Armstead's release was officially announced on March 13, and the defensive lineman was able to immediately sign with another team. Armstead's
Read More
49ers create $7.46 million in 2024 cap savings with Christian McCaffrey's deal
By David Bonilla
Jun 4
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was set to earn a base salary of $11.8 million this year and $12 million next year, with cap hits of approximately $14.14 million in 2024 and $14.34 million in 2025. The 49ers reworked his deal, signing the versatile offensive weapon to a two-year extension that keeps him under contract through the 2027 season.RELATED: Christian McCaffrey: 'I'm really fired up that I'm staying'While Pro Football Talk reported that McCaffrey will now earn $62.2 million over the next four seasons, the contract details are essential,
Read More
49ers contract details: Jauan Jennings deal reduces 2024 cap hit with void years
By Site Staff
May 31
When news broke that the San Francisco 49ers were signing wide receiver Jauan Jennings to a two-year, $15.39 million deal, replacing his one-year tendered offer of $4.89 million, many wondered how this would impact the team's salary cap for 2024. The prevailing theory was that void years would be incorporated into the contract. That was confirmed to be the case by OvertheCap.com.Void years are one of several methods to manipulate the salary cap. They are a mechanism used to spread a player's signing bonus or other guaranteed money over a longer period for salary cap purposes without extending the player's actual commitment to the team. This allows teams to manage their salary cap more flexibly in the short term. However, this strategy can be risky if overused, as it can lead
Read More
