The San Francisco 49ers have embarked on a strategic overhaul during the opening week-plus of free agency, parting ways with 17 key players. This move comes as part of a calculated plan by the franchise to clear salaries from their books by 2027. The 49ers have released, traded, or opted not to re-sign players whose performances did not match their lucrative contracts. With more than $42 million in cap space now available, the team is positioning itself for future success while addressing immediate needs.
Some of the newly available cap space is earmarked for quarterback Brock Purdy's impending contract extension. Additionally, the team plans to roll over funds to offset the more than $21 million in dead money already accounted for in the 2026 books. This approach aligns with the 49ers' offseason philosophy over the past five years, which can be summarized in three simple words: "Run it back."
The groundwork for this year's departures began last year when the 49ers proactively drafted players to fill anticipated gaps left by departing veterans. Notable players such as Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins, and Leonard Floyd were among those let go due to the team's struggles throughout 2025. The decision to release these players reflects the organization's willingness to make tough choices for long-term benefits.
In recent years, the 49ers have focused on securing their core talent by granting big-money extensions to running back Christian McCaffrey, left tackle Trent Williams, and receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Additionally, they restructured deals for key players like receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. Despite these investments, the team's financial strategy has resulted in a league-high $86,602,800 in dead money on the 2025 salary cap.
General Manager John Lynch and Coach Kyle Shanahan have been transparent about their future-focused approach. They hinted at this strategy before the start of the new league year, emphasizing the importance of balancing immediate competitiveness with long-term planning.
"We always want to be competitive now and into the future," John Lynch stated.
"At some point you have to reset a little bit or at least recalibrate," Lynch further explained.
Kyle Shanahan added, "You've got to always think right now, but you got to think big picture, too, which to me in football is always on like a two-to-three-year time frame."
The 49ers have not only been making room for future investments but have also been active in signing new talent. They have signed 10 outside free agents to deals worth up to a total of $41,880,000, with an annual average value of $2.388 million. These acquisitions are part of a broader strategy to maintain competitiveness while building a sustainable roster for the coming years.
In 2023, the 49ers ranked sixth in the NFL in cash spending. Their willingness to cut players with remaining years and dollars on their contracts has been instrumental in creating financial flexibility. This disciplined approach is expected to pay dividends as the team navigates challenges and opportunities in upcoming seasons.
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