16 Dec 2001: Quarterback Jeff Garcia #5 of the San Francisco 49ers gains yardage against the Miami Dolphins during the game at 3Com Park in San Francisco, California. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
Despite the overwhelming disadvantage they will face, the 49ers have insisted on sending away this well-known NFL guru because of….
Thanks in large part to quarterback Brock Purdy’s rookie contract, the San Francisco 49ers have assembled one of the greatest lineups in the NFL with several All-Pro players on both sides of the ball. On the other hand, impending contract extensions may drive one great 49er off the roster.
Long-term, San Francisco faces challenges when it comes to salary caps. Although there aren’t many significant free agents that general manager John Lynch needs to sign this offseason, the 49ers still have a long list of impact players on both sides of the ball who could become available in 2025.
2024 cap space for the San Francisco 49ers is -12.376 million.
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That poses a particular issue for a team whose cap space is expected to be limited to $25.55 million by 2025. For players in contract years like Brandon Aiyuk, Deommodore Lenoir, and Talanoa Hufanga, the amount does not even take into consideration possible contract extensions and wage rises. Purdy is expected to sign a long-term contract soon, so San Francisco may have to make a tough choice this year.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer noted All-Pro offensive weapon Deebo Samuel as a player who might be traded this offseason amid NFL trade speculations concerning Aiyuk.
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Contract with Deebo Samuel: $24.201 million cap hit in 2025, $28.6333 million cap hit in 2024
A trade of Samuel would enable San Francisco to extend Aiyuk’s contract and establish him as the primary receiver in Kyle Shanahan’s scheme. Although Samuel has been a key member of the squad and his absences have caused Purdy’s stats to decrease, he is not as much of a natural No. 1 receiver as Aiyuk and has struggled with numerous injuries in the past.
Although that occurred in 2022 when he wasn’t signed to a long-term contract with San Francisco and had asked to be traded out of San Francisco, Samuel has also surfaced in NFL trade speculations in the past. In the end, the 49ers’ front office will have to make some tough choices regarding the roster in the upcoming years, and it’s still possible that one of their top offensive weapons won’t be available when the 2024 NFL season begins.
