Well the 2021 didn’t end the way all 49ers fans had hoped it would, with them hoisting their 6th Lombardi Trophy, but the team came through adversity, made it all the way to the NFC Championship game, so I’d say it was a successful season, seeing as Deebo Samuel emerged as one of the best young offensive weapons in the game, along with Brandon Aiyuk, & Jauan Jennings proving to be reliable, Trent Williams having his best season of his career, Arik Armstead proving to be a force, earning that $17 million a year deal he signed in 2020, & of course, Nick Bosa proving that he’s one of, if not the best young EDGE rushers in the NFL, so now, let’s take a look at the 2022 offseason situation as it stands.
Throughout this article I will point out several things, what the 49ers current salary cap situation for 2022 looks like, key dates, potential roster moves, and much more, so sit back, and enjoy.
Let’s start off with the key dates.
February 10, 2022 – Dee Ford’s $4.6 million roster bonus becomes guaranteed, but it’s actually due by April 1, 2022
February 15, 2022 – Laken Tomlinson’s contract voids, meaning it will leave a $1,204,059 dead money hit, so if the 49ers wish to extend him, without having dead money, they’ll need to do this before his deal voids.
February 22, 2022 – Teams may designate 1 player as their Franchise or Transition player.
March 1-March 7, 2022 – The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana.
March 14-16, 2022 – Teams are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with certified agents of Unrestrcted Free Agents, upon the expiration of their 2021 player contracts at 4PM EST, New York time, on March 16, 2022.
March 16, 2022 – Prior to 4PM EST, New York time, teams must do the following, they must exercise contract options for players with option clauses in their 2021 contract for the 2022 season, they must submit qualifying contract offers/tenders to Restricted Free Agents, in order to retain the right of first refusal or compensation, clubs must submit a minimum salary tender to Exclusive Rights Free Agents, who have fewer than 3 accrued season towards free agency, and the top 51 rule becomes in effect, meaning all teams must be under the 2022 salary cap.
March 16, 2022 – At 4PM EST, New York time, all 2021 player contracts will expire at 4PM EST, New York time, and the 2022 new league year opens, which means teams can sign, trade, and designate players as Post June 1 cuts.
April 1, 2022 – 6 players have base salaries that become guaranteed on this date, or option bonuses due, which if not exercise, they get added onto their 2022 base salaries, as they’re protected option bonuses.
1. FB Kyle Juszczyk – $2.155 million option bonus due, prorates at $538,750 from 2022-2025, it’s already factored into his 2022-2025 salary cap numbers.
2. TE George Kittle – $4.917 million of his 2023 base salary becomes fully guaranteed, as $5.083 million became guaranteed back on April 1, 2021.
3. C Alex Mack – $500,000 of his 2022 base salary becomes fully guaranteed
4. LT Trent Williams – $5.05 million of his 2023 base salary becomes fully guaranteed, as his 2022 base salary, $7.25 million, was already guaranteed at signing.
5. DT/DE Arik Armstead – $5.85 million of his 2022 base salary becomes fully guaranteed.
6. MLB Fred Warner – $12.68 million protected option bonus is due, prorates at $2.536 million from 2022-2026, $984,000 of his 2022 base salary becomes guaranteed, the remaining $1.58 million was guaranteed at signing, $12.016 million of his 2023 base salary becomes fully guaranteed.
7. CB Emmanuel Moseley – His $4.4 million 2022 base salary becomes fully guaranteed.
April 18, 2022 – Teams with returning head coaches, like the 49ers, may begin their offseason workout program, while April 4, 2022 is when teams with new head coaches may start their offseason workout program.
April 22, 2022 – Deadline for Restricted Free Agents to sign offer sheets with other teams.
April 28-April 30, 2022 – The 2022 NFL Draft Takes Place in Las Vegas, Nevada.
May 2, 2022 – Teams must exercise or decline 5th-year options for 1st-round picks from the 2019 NFL draft, for the 49ers this is Nick Bosa, who will get the franchise tag number, which is projected by OverTheCap.com to be $20.186 million, which would be Bosa’s 2023 salary cap number, which also becomes fully guaranteed the moment the option is picked up.
Now, let’s take a look at the 49ers current 2022 salary cap situation.
The 49ers as of Tuesday January 31, 2022, have 40 players signed for 2022, for a total commitment of $205,836,720, plus $5,167,725 in dead money, which includes Laken Tomlinson’s pending $1,204,059 dead money hit, giving them a total cap commitment of $211,031,445, which leaves them $4,406,445 over the 2022 projected cap, which is set to be $208.2 million, but this of course only includes 40 players, so with 51 players signed, assuming the 11 players make $705,000, they’d be $10,586,445 over the 2022 salary cap.
Now, the above numbers don’t factor in projected carryover, or adjustments/credits, which, as of now, I have them with $1,558,245 in carryover, & $618,139 in adjustments/credits, meaning they’d be $8,410,061 over the 2022 salary cap.
Below are the 40 players currently signed for 2022, with their salary cap numbers.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo(2022) – $26,950,000
QB Trey Lance(2024) – $7,751,195
RB Elijah Mitchell(2024) – $870,893
RB Trey Sermon(2024) – $1,107,485
FB Kyle Juszczyk(2025) – $2,985,750
FB Josh Hokit(2022) – $705,000
WR Deebo Samuel(2022) – $4,890,519
WR Brandon Aiyuk(2023) – $3,417,641
WR KeeSean Johnson(2022) – $895,000
WR Austin Mack(2022) – $825,000
WR Connor Wedington(2022) – $705,000
TE George Kittle(2025) – $16,011,765
TE Charlie Woerner(2023) – $940,258
TE Tanner Hudson(2022) – $965,000
C Alex Mack(2023) – $6,725,000
RG Aaron Banks(2024) – $1,607,638
LT Trent Williams(2026) – $14,031,765
LT Jaylon Moore(2024) – $905,759
RT Mike McGlinchey(2022) – $10,880,000
RT Justin Skule(2022) – $1,009,987
RT Alfredo Gutierrez(2022) – $705,000
DE Nick Bosa(2022) – $10,805,564
DE Samson Ebukam(2022) – $8,250,000
DE Dee Ford(2022) – $11,909,997
DE Charles Omenihu(2022) – $2,540,000
DT Arik Armstead(2024) – $20,000,000
DT Javon Kinlaw(2023) – $4,224,191
NT Chris Slayton(2022) – $705,000
WLB Dre Greenlaw(2022) – $2,620,429
WLB Curtis Robinson(2022) – $705,000
MLB Fred Warner(2026) – $8,134,588
CB Emmanuel Moseley(2022) – $6,555,529
CB Ambry Thomas(2024) – $1,087,693
CB Deommodore Lenoir(2024) – $896,217
FS Jimmie Ward(2022) – $12,935,588
FS Tarvarius Moore(2022) – $965,000
SS Talanoa Hufanga(2024) – $885,038
PK Robbie Gould(2022) – $5,509,313
P Mitch Wishnowsky(2022) – $1,156,018
LS Taybor Pepper(2022) – $1,120,000
As you can see 3 players have higher cap numbers than they did for 2022 before the season ended, those being, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, defensive end Charles Omenihu, & weakside linebacker Dre Greenlaw, that’s due to them hitting the PPE, which means proven performance escalator, which sees the players 4th-year base salary escalate, depending on certain factors.
So, for Deebo Samuel, because he made the 2022 Pro Bowl, he will see his base salary go up to the projected 2nd-round tender, which is $3.986 million, but he has a $50,000 workout bonus, so it’ll be $3.936 million, since workout bonuses are considered salary, while Charles Omenihu, & Dre Greenlaw had at least 2 of their first 3 seasons end with 35% of more play time, so they’ll go up to the original round tender, which is projected to be $2.54 million.
Next, let’s take a look at the 49ers current free agents for the 2022 offseason.
UFA:
RB Raheem Mostert
RB Jeff Wilson Jr.
RB Trenton Cannon
WR Travis Benjamin
WR Mohamed Sanu Sr.
WR Trent Sherfield
WR Richie James Jr.
TE Ross Dwelley
C Jake Brendel
LG Laken Tomlinson
RT Tom Compton
DE Arden Key
DE Jordan Willis
DT Maurice Hurst Jr.
NT D.J. Jones
WLB Marcell Harris
CB Jason Verrett
CB K’Waun Williams
CB Josh Norman
CB Dontae Johnson
FS Tavon Wilson
SS Jaquiski Tartt
RFA:
RG Daniel Brunskill
DT Kentavius Street
SLB Azeez Al-Shaair
ERFA:
RB JaMycal Hasty
WR Jauan Jennings
LG Colton McKivitz
DT Kevin Givens
SLB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
Practice Squad FAs:
QB Nate Sudfeld
RB Brian Hill
TE Jordan Matthews
C Jon Halapio
RT Wyatt Miller
DE Alex Barrett
NT Darrion Daniels
SLB Mark Nzeocha
CB Lavert Hill
CB Darqueze Dennard
FS Jarrod Wilson
So, let’s begin with the teams ERFAs, & Practice Squad FAs, with them being the easiest.
They will, in my opinion, tender all 5, with Hasty, McKivitz, Givens, & Flannigan-Fowles getting the 3rd-year minimum of $895,000, and Jennings getting the 2nd-year minimum of $825,000, all of these are non-guaranteed.
As for the team’s remaining practice squaders, as it was reported by Aaron Wilson on Twitter, that the 49ers signed 7 of their practice squaders to reserve/future deals, those being fullback Josh Hokit, wide receivers Connor Wedington, & Austin Mack, tight end Tanner Hudson, right tackle Alfredo Gutierrez, nose tackle Chris Slayton, & weakside linebacker Curtis Robinson, likely all to 1-year deals, which I have already factored in above, as part of the 40 players signed.
As for the rest of the team’s practice squaders, quarterback Nate Sudfeld, running back Brian Hill, tight end Jordan Matthews, center Jon Halapio, right tackle Wyatt Miller, defensive end Alex Barrett, nose tackle Darrion Daniels, strongside linebacker Mark Nzeocha, cornerbacks Lavert Hill, & Darqueqe Dennard, & free safety Jarrod Wilson, I can see them being signed as well.
If they are all signed, their projected cap numbers would be as follows.
QB Nate Sudfeld – $895,000
RB Brian Hill – $895,000
TE Jordan Matthews – $895,000
C Jon Halapio – $965,000
RT Wyatt Miller – $705,000
DE Alex Barrett – $825,000
NT Darrion Daniels – $825,000
SLB Mark Nzeocha – $895,000
CB Lavert Hill – $705,000
CB Darqueze Dennard – $895,000
FS Jarrod Wilson – $895,000
That’s a total of $9.395 million, plus the 5 ERFAs being a total of $4.405 million, that’s a total of $13.8 million, but that would give the team 56 players signed for 2022, meaning they’d then now be $12,907,916 over the 2022 salary cap, without projected carryover, & adjustments/credits, but with those added, that would put them $10,731,532 over the 2022 cap.
So, when the 49ers do either trade or release Jimmy Garoppolo, here’s hoping his improved play will help the 49ers some draft pick compensation, they would save $24.845 million, if the player replacing him on the top 51 rule is making just the rookie minimum of $705,000, thus giving the 49ers $11,937,084 before carryover & adjustments/credits, or $14,113,468 after carryover & adjustments/credits.
I should also note that 49ers free safety Tarvarius Moore, who spent the entire season on reserve/PUP following the torn Achilles injury, has had his deal toll to 2022, meaning he’s signed for 2022 at just $965,000, and he’s also listed among my 40 players signed for 2022.
As for the teams RFAs, if they chose to tender Brunskill, Street, & Al-Shaair, I’d expect them to use the right of first refusal on Brunskill, which is set to be $2.433 million, the original round tender on Street, which again should be $2.54 million, and the 2nd-round tender on Al-Shaair, again at $3.986 million.
But I can see the 49ers re-signing Brunskill, & Street to cheap 1-year deals, in the neighborhood of $1.265 million a year, for either 1, or 2 years, which is well below what they’d get on their RFA tenders, it’s the same thing the 49ers did in the 2021 offseason with Jeff Wilson Jr., Ross Dwelley, & Marcell Harris.
As for Al-Shaair, the 2nd-round tender makes a lot of sense, due to his emergence this past season, plus the fact he was an undrafted free agent, so the team would get nothing back if they didn’t match an offer sheet, which I believe Al-Shaair would have suitors.
Now, I see the 49ers signing Al-Shaair to a multi-year deal, similar to what they did with Emmanuel Moseley in the 2021 offseason, likely a 2-3 year deal, worth around $3.5 million a year.
I think it’s most likely that the only RFA to get tendered will be Al-Shaair, with Brunskill, & Street signing, let’s say, 1-year deals, worth $1.265 million each, with Al-Shaair getting the 2nd-round tender of $3.986 million, which would put the team, before moving on from Garoppolo, $17,387,445 over the 2022 salary cap, before carryover & adjustments/credits, and $15,211,061 over the 2022 salary cap when factoring in carryover & adjustments/credits.
So, then the 49ers would, after moving on from Garoppolo, be $7,337,555 under the cap before carryover & adjustments/credits, & $9,513,939 after factoring in carryover & adjustments/credits.
Of course, I do see the 49ers giving Al-Shaair a multi-year deal, likely, as said before, in the $3.5 million a year range, maybe as high as $4.5 million to $5 million a year, with a low 2022 salary cap number, likely in the $1.3 million range, which would be a $2.686 million savings, giving the team $10,023,555 in cap room before carryover & adjustments/credits, & $12,199,939 after carryover & adjustments/credits.
As for the team’s UFAs, I think they’ll look to prioritize the potential multi-year players this way, with potential APY(Average Per Year) listed in parenthesis.
1. LG Laken Tomlinson($8 million a year)
2. NT D.J. Jones($6 million a year)
3. DE Arden Key($6 million a year)
4. CB K’Waun Williams($6 million a year)
5. DE Jordan Willis($2 million a year)
6. RB Jeff Wilson Jr.($2.5 million a year)
As for the rest, I can see them bringing back the likes of running back Trenton Cannon, wide receiver Trent Sherfield, tight end Ross Dwelley, center Jake Brendel, right tackle Tom Compton, defensive tackle Maurice Hurst Jr., cornerback Dontae Johnson, & strong safety Jaquiski Tartt on 1-year veteran minimum deals, with Tartt being the guy to get the Fourth Year Qualifying Contract, which would see him get a $2.37 million base salary, a $152,500 signing bonus, but only $1.12 million of his base salary would count, meaning a $1,272,500 cap numbers.
As for the rest, the only one who should get a signing bonus would be Compton, the same $152,500, the max allowed for 2022, which would give him a $1,047,500 cap number, as his actual base salary would be $1.12 million, but only $895,000, the 3rd-year minimum, would count against the cap.
The rest of them would get 1-year deals, where they’d get their minimum base salary, but they’d only have a $895,000 cap charge.
Now, the 49ers can create cap room through other methods, allowing them to potentially sign some outside free agents, as they really could use a veteran cornerback, a backup quarterback to Trey Lance.
The 49ers, in my opinion, will keep defensive end Samson Ebukam, he played really well down the stretch, but his $8.25 million cap number is way too high, so they could either extend him, which they could save maximum $3.982 million, or they could agree to a restructured deal, where they take his $5.9 million base salary, reduce to the league minimum of $1.035 million, giving him incentives to try to regain the money, and save the team $4.865 million in salary cap room.
They could restructure the contracts of guys like tight end George Kittle($8.332 million maximum savings), defensive tackle/defensive end Arik Armstead($10.424 million maximum savings), & free safety Jimmie Ward($6.332 million maximum savings), which would be a total of $24.98 million in extra cap room, but they’d end up losing $4.996 million in 2023 cap room, if Ward were to be extended, as he should be a candidate for an extension, or a lose of $8,730,400 without a Ward extensions.
They could also restructure left tackle Trent Williams’ deal, and save $4.904 million, as he has enough years, 5, on his deal to get the maximum savings.
Another player they could look to extend is cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, who has a $4.4 million base salary, and the maximum savings they can get is $2.962 million.
Of course, the 49ers have right tackle Mike McGlinchey signed for 2022, on his 5th-year option, making a fully guaranteed $10.88 million, but the team could do a pseudo extension, where they add 4 voidable years, lowering his base salary down to the minimum of $1.035 million, saving the team $7.876 million, but it would leave a $5.907 million dead money hit in 2023, that’s if a new deal isn’t reached before the contract were to void sometime in February 2023.
Finally, the 49ers could move on from defensive end Dee Ford, but with his injury, he won’t be able to pass a physical, so that $4.6 million injury guaranteed roster bonus will be paid to him, so the 49ers only option is to release him with a June 1 designation or after June 1, which saves the team $2.4 million before the top 51 rule, but more than likely $1.505 million after the top 51 rule, assuming someone making $895,000 replaces him on the top 51, and the team wouldn’t get that $1.505 million until June 2nd, 2022.
As for the draft, the team right now is projected to have 8 picks, their own 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th, plus Denver’s 6th, & 3 7th round compensatory picks for losing Kerry Hyder Jr., Solomon Thomas, & C.J. Beathard, this is according to Nick Korte of OverTheCap.
Now, with the 49ers set to pick 29th-overall in each round, for their own picks they still own of course, they will own the following picks, 61st-overall(2nd-round), 93rd-overall(3rd-round), 132nd-overall(4th-round), 171st-overall(5th-round), 185th-overall(6th-round, from Denver), 251st-overall(7th-round, compensatory for losing Solomon Thomas), 254th-overall(7th-round, compensatory for losing Kerry Hyder Jr.), & 261st-overall(7th-round, compensatory for losing C.J. Beathard).
These 8 picks are projected to cost a total of $6,739,968, but only their 2nd-4th rounders would count against the top 51, that’s if they keep all 8 picks, which isn’t likely, but those 3 picks would count $3,007,563, while the remaining 5 picks prorated bonuses add up to $207,405, for a total of $3,214,968 in cap room needed, but since 3 players would replace the teams 2nd, 3rd, & 4th round picks, the actual cap space needed in the offseason is just $529,968.
Now, I can see them targeting a 4th wide receiver/return specialist, a 3rd tight end, future center, EDGE rusher opposite Nick Bosa, better backup interior defensive lineman, better backup linebacker, another young cornerback, & a young safety.
Now, I fully expect the 49ers to extend both wide receiver Deebo Samuel, & defensive end Nick Bosa sometime during the offseason, with Deebo getting north of $20 million a year, and Bosa north of $30 million a year.
The 49ers will likely do what they did with Fred Warner’s extensions when they extend Deebo & Bosa, with them likely lowering Deebo’s base salary down to the league minimum of $965,000, using the $2.971 million as part of a signing bonus, maybe a $15 million signing bonus, which means they’d need just $29,000 in cap room for the prorated portion, $3 million, for 2022.
As for Bosa, what I would do is take his $4,305,225 training camp roster bonus, turn that, along with $1,694,775 in cap room, into his prorated portion of a $30 million signing bonus, which would be $6 million.
Now, with these two extensions done like this, their cap numbers would only go up by $29,000 for Deebo, & $1,694,775 for Bosa, a total of $1,723,775 in 2022 cap room used, which is just $218,775 more than the $1.505 million the 49ers would get if they do release Dee Ford with a June 1 designation or after June 1, so really just a $218,775 loss in cap room.
I can also see the 49ers looking into extending weakside linebacker Dre Greenlaw, likely in the $3.5 million to $5 million a year range, the same as Azeez Al-Shaair, which would be great to have both Greenlaw, & Al-Shaair signed for $10 million or less a year combined, to go with one of the best, if not the best, pure linebackers, Fred Warner, already signed long term.
Anyway, if you want to see my current, but ever changing, & updated 2022 offseason plan, just click here.
And, with all of this said, I thank everyone for reading this article, as always you can follow me on Twitter @49erscap, or leave a comment below, and I’ll get back to you.
About Author
Thanks for your hard work and always keeping us informed of the Cap situation and things that might occur. Looking forward to more and another exciting year from our 49ers.
Thanks Greg, much appreciated, I do my best to keep everyone informed & updated, I know this season didn’t go as planned, but it was a fun year, and yes here’s to 2022, can’t wait for the Trey Lance era.
Amazing work Jason. Love all the effort you put into this. With this in mind, wonder how aggressive the Niners will be to go after a free agent, say corner.
Thanks again. Greetings from Singapore,
Mark
Thanks Mark, much appreciated, I think we could get a corner, someone like Charvarius Ward of the Chiefs or Levi Wallace of the Bills, I doubt we can afford a Gilmore, & guys like J.C. Jackson & Carlton Davis probably get franchised.
Jason, you are a gem. I love the timeline layout and overview of what will and what it could cost. Incredible job as always.
Thanks my man, much appreciated, I try my best to be as in depth & thorough as possible.