There’s so much misinformation going around about 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, his contract, his $7.5 million injury guarantee, & whether the 49ers are hindered in free agency, so I’m here to break it all down.
Right now, Garoppolo counts $26.95 million against the 2022 salary cap, while the 49ers have, before knowing wide receiver/return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud, & strong safety George Odum’s contract details, at $4,414,615 in cap room right now.
So, one of the biggest things going around about Garoppolo, is that his $7.5 million injury guarantee, which he gets only if he’s released while hurt, would offset, and the 49ers would get back the $7.5 million in 2022, but the fact is, with the offset, the 49ers, if they cut Garoppolo, would get the $7.5 million, or up to $7.5 millon, as an adjustment/credit in 2023, not 2022.
But the fact is, the 49ers aren’t releasing Garoppolo, and they shouldn’t, you don’t ever want to eat cap room, so the 49ers shouldn’t release him, even if they can’t find a trade partner.
Also, 49ers fans who are upset with the lack of a free agent splash, are blaming it on general manager John Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan, & Jimmy himself, because he hasn’t been traded or cut.
The fact is, this isn’t on any of them, & this doesn’t prohibit the 49ers from signing or agreeing to sign free agents, yes, they have that $4,414,615 before McCloud, & Odum’s deals, but they can create more cap room by restructuring the contract of left tackle Trent Williams, saving $4.904 million.
The 49ers can also restructure middle linebacker Fred Warner’s deal, which would save $1,223,200, and they also could restructure right tackle Mike McGlinchey’s deal, by adding 4 void years, saving the team $7.876 million, but it’d also leave $7.876 million in dead money for the 2023 season if his deal does void.
They could also extend the likes of defensive ends Samson Ebukam($3.892 million saved), & Charles Omenihu($1.26 million saved), strongside linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair($2,416,800 saved), cornerback Emmanuel Moseley($2.692 million saved), & free safety Jimmie Ward($6.224 million), they could also go to Ebukam, and ask him to take a pay cut, saving $4.895 million.
So, no, having Garoppolo on the roster still is not hindering the 49ers’ ability to sign free agents, would it be helpful to have the extra $25.55 mjllion? Of course, but it’s not the reason they’ve signed mostly depth players, with 1 splashy move, cornerback Charvarius Ward, and his 3-year deal, worth $40.5 million.
Also, when it comes to McCloud, & Odum’s contracts, they’re likely not worth the reported $10.4 million for McCloud, & $10.95 million for Odum, as those are the max value, the base value will likely come in around $8.4 million for McCloud, & $7.95 million for Odum, which would mean $4.2 million APY for McCloud, & $2.65 million APY for Odum.
Also, I don’t see either McCloud, or Odum’s 2022 cap number to be any higher than $1.5 million, as they likely have void years tacked onto the end of their deals, 3 for McCloud, & 2 for Odum, plus like with Oren Burks’ deal, I’m betting that McCloud, & Odum’s base salary will be the minimum of $1.035 million, and they likely won’t have a per game roster bonus for 2022, like with Burks’ deal.
And when it comes to those splashy signings, the fact is, the 49ers have to give wide receiver Deebo Samuel, & defensive end Nick Bosa big money extensions this coming summer, along with the fact that they have some of the highest paid players in the NFL, the likes of tight end George Kittle($15 million a year), left tackle Trent Williams($23.01 million a year), defensive tackle Arik Armstead($17 million a year), middle linebacker Fred Warner($19.045 million a year), cornerback Charvarius Ward($13.5 million a year), & free safety Jimmie Ward($9.5 million a year), so they really have limited resources when it comes to this season, and beyond.
So, in conclusion, no, the 49ers aren’t hindered, or being unable to sign free agents because of Garoppolo still on the roster, the fact is, the 49ers are being smart, signing players who are filling needs, like Ward at cornerback, which is their splash signing, & upgrading the special teams unit with McCloud, Burks, & Odum, while they’re not giving out big contracts to old, and/or injury prone players, basically they’re not overpaying, as the teams who overpay in free agency are usually the teams picking at the top of the draft, & their draft picks don’t pan out, which is the opposite of the 49ers under Lynch & Shanahan.
As always, thanks for reading, comment below, or follow me on Twitter @49erscap.
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