When you read that the San Francisco 49ers can create over $43 million in cap space with simple restructures, which is just turning salaries or roster bonuses into signing bonuses that can stretch over the lifetime of a player’s current contract, you’re probably thinking the team is in business and will be able to have a shopping spree this offseason.
While it sounds like a lot on paper, it actually ranks 29th compared to the rest of the NFL, per Over the Cap:
“The cap is fake” is a popular topic in the offseason. It may not be fake, but this is yet another example of the hoops you can jump through to leverage the cap for every team outside of the Philadelphia Eagles.
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The Eagles are the result of what happens when you push all of your chips in the middle. Eventually, rent comes due. They won a Super Bowl, so it worked.
Then there are teams like the Detroit Lions, who can create $128 million in extra cap space without releasing a player. That would be a nice luxury to have in an offseason when trades might be at an all-time high, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who said more teams will be involved in trades this offseason due to perceived weak free-agent and draft classes.
Another reason why teams might be more willing to spend is the annual cap increase. If the salary cap goes up another $25 million, any restructures made this offseason might be easier on the cap one or two years from now.
Another way to view the new era of cap management is that it tells us which ownership groups are willing to push the envelope, or are just outright reckless, in their cash spending.
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According to Over the Cap, the 49ers are currently projected to be second in active cash spending in 2026. They were fourth in 2025 and second in 2024. So, spending isn’t an issue for this franchise.
Coming into this season, the 49ers were only 19th in dollars spent per win. Big contracts like Javon Hargrave likely contributed to that. The 49ers still have $16.1 million in dead money tied up from Hargrave’s contract, and another $4 million from Maliek Collins. So, just because you spend, it doesn’t mean it’ll pay off in the win column.
A team missing one or two players also shouldn’t prevent them from being aggressive moving forward. The 49ers have tried to identify defensive tackles for years now after trading DeForest Buckner. They drafted a pair last year and will likely need to sign another in free agency. Their approach this offseason will be fascinating. Because the average price tag for a player will rise once more, come free agency. History suggests the 49ers will be willing to spend on those players, even if it means overpaying.
Which contracts will the 49ers tinker with this offseason?
The 49ers could save around $33 million by restructuring their two best players, Nick Bosa and Trent Williams. That’s an easy start, as you can keep kicking the can down the road knowing those two will be on the roster for as long as you want.
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The only other player who would make a drastic difference is quarterback Brock Purdy. Restructuring Purdy’s deal would create $5.7 million. Aside from Purdy, the only other contracts that would net the 49ers more than a million in cap space are Jake Brendel and Bryce Huff.
So, if we see Bosa or Williams pop up with a restructure or extension, it’ll benefit the 49ers’ cap space in a major way and give them flexibility to pay a quality starter in free agency.
