The San Francisco 49ers are making a significant shift as they navigate an offseason filled with both hard decisions and opportunities to reset their roster. In 2024, the team spent a record $334.454 million—well above the $255.4 million salary cap—making them one of only two teams to exceed $230 million (the other being the Cleveland Browns). However, as the 49ers enter 2025, they face clear financial constraints and a new strategic direction, as highlighted by General Manager John Lynch.
Speaking to local media at Stanford's Pro Day, Lynch emphasized the necessity of flexibility moving forward. "You don't want to get to a point where you have to do things to keep your roster afloat," he said. "You want to have that flexibility. That's the one thing people should realize: We've been really blessed and fortunate that ownership has allowed us to go and last year we had such a good roster that we doubled down and said, ‘Let’s go for this thing.’ We pushed kind of all the chips in knowing at some point you’d have to have the reset, and this was the year."
The shift comes at the same time that CEO Jed York is looking to construct a cheaper version of the team. With a major contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy on the horizon, the 49ers have opted to trade away high-profile players like Deebo Samuel, who was sent to the Washington Commanders, and Jordan Mason, traded to the Minnesota Vikings. Other departures include key contributors who left via free agency, such as Charvarius Ward, Dre Greenlaw, Aaron Banks, Jaylon Moore, and Talanoa Hufanga.
Even though the team has lost some star power, they also made several signings in hopes of filling the gaps left behind. Recently, they added Luke Farrell, Richie Grant, Demarcus Robinson, Ter Brown, Jason Pinnock, Luke Gifford, Jon Weeks, Mac Jones, and Siran Neal. "We like the adds we made," Lynch remarked, noting that although these aren't the biggest names, the team is satisfied with the incoming players.
Moving into 2025, Spotrac's projections suggest the 49ers are set to fall to 19th in cash spending. This marks a notable departure from their previous years spent among the top 10 in league expenditures. Lynch pointed out, "The bottom line is you're always looking years out. As we forecasted, we obviously have some big things coming our way, and you have to clear the requisite room to be able to do that."
However, the path isn’t without question marks. ESPN's Nick Wagoner reported that the 49ers were pleased with their offseason maneuvers, despite negotiating their way through a record-setting $85 million in dead money. "The 49ers' main objective in this cycle was to clear the books of bad contracts and begin resetting the roster," Wagoner explained. These moves included releasing established contributors and pivoting towards younger prospects with potential.
This offseason also raised eyebrows regarding specific decisions made by the 49ers. For example, Kyle Shanahan declared the release of fullback Kyle Juszczyk and running back Jordan Mason, only to re-sign Juszczyk just days later at a similar contract. To add to the confusion, San Francisco let go of linebacker Dre Greenlaw, then attempted to match the Denver Broncos’ three-year, $35 million offer at the last minute, only to see their efforts rejected.
Then there’s the puzzling signing of Luke Farrell, a blocking tight end who has never scored a touchdown in his four-year NFL career. The 49ers pinned their hopes on him by signing a three-year, $20.25 million contract. This figure starkly contrasts with the $12 million over three years that their previous blocking tight end, Charlie Woerner, accepted with the Atlanta Falcons, raising questions about salary allocation.
With analysis suggesting a need for coherence in personnel management and financial strategy, the 49ers are focusing on building a younger core around remaining stars. GM John Lynch has indicated their decisions are targeted toward a future where they can effectively leverage their draft picks to find hidden gems that can grow into impactful players.
Additionally, linebackers are turning into a focus for the team, with John Lynch expressing interest in players like Oregon’s Jeffrey Bassa, who was the 2024 Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP. Bassa has demonstrated promising potential, highlighted by his impressive vertical leap at the combine, but some analysts have questioned his athletic metrics.
The journey ahead is uncertain. Each move carries implications for team cohesion and overall performance in the upcoming season. With significant financial commitments and high-profile personnel shifts on their plates, the scrutiny is mounting. As they attempt to balance their immediate needs with developing a consistent long-term strategy, the 49ers find themselves under a microscope, striving to translate these offseason dynamics into success on the field. The real question remains: can they navigate these turbulent waters while setting themselves up for future triumphs?
