Starting today, I\u2019m going to have a 9-part series showing how much of the 49ers 2021 salary cap a certain position group takes up, and today we start off with the Quarterbacks.<\/p>\n
The 49ers have 4 quarterbacks signed(once Lance signs) for 2021, where they are set to count $34,238,326 against the 2021 salary cap.<\/p>\n
We start with Jimmy Garoppolo, his cap number for 2021 is $26,382,353, and he\u2019s expected to be the teams starting quarterback come week 1, there is a small chance we may see Trey Lance starting.<\/p>\n
If the 49ers were to release or trade Garoppolo right now, they\u2019d save $24,982,353, while having $1.4 million dead money hits for 2021 & 2022.<\/p>\n
But this isn\u2019t likely to happen, and as I mentioned in yesterday\u2019s article, redoing his deal would be a bad idea, where the team would lose either $18.42 million or $11,512,500 in savings for 2022, depending on whether the team were to add voidable years, or keep his deal at just 2 remaining seasons.<\/p>\n
The 49ers need the $25.6 million they\u2019ll save when unloading Jimmy in 2022, so a restructure just isn\u2019t in the cards, and isn\u2019t a good idea.<\/p>\n
Next we have the 3rd-overall pick, Trey Lance, who will count $6,200,973 against the 2021 cap.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s set to sign a fully guaranteed 4-year deal, worth $34,150,350, with a massive $22,163,892 signing bonus, give or take a few dollars.<\/p>\n
The big reason for having a quarterback on a cheap rookie contract, is so the 49ers have the money both for 2022, and beyond to extend & re-sign key players, like Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, Deebo Samuel, Dre Greenlaw, Javon Kinlaw, Brandon Aiyuk when it comes to extensions, while guys like Jason Verrett, D.J. Jones, K\u2019Waun Williams, Jaquiski Tartt, Raheem Mostert, & Jeff Wilson Jr. as key 2021 free agents, obviously they won\u2019t re-sign all, but by having a QB on a rookie contract will give them the ability to extend & re-sign key & core players.<\/p>\n
Next we have Nate Sudfeld, who is set to count $850,000 against the cap, with $252,000 of his guaranteed.<\/p>\n
The thing about his guaranteed money is, that\u2019s the amount he\u2019d make on the practice squad for this season.<\/p>\n
If they do release Sudfeld to keep Rosen, then they\u2019ll basically lose $252,000 in cap room, as Sudfeld would have his practice squad salary, while Rosen would cost $850,000, and they\u2019d still have to have that $252,000 guaranteed money as dead money.<\/p>\n
Now Sudfeld isn\u2019t the best player, but Kyle Shanahan saw something in him, so we\u2019ll have to wait and see how he looks in training camp, as well as the preseason.<\/p>\n
Last is Josh Rosen, who like Sudfeld, would count $850,000 against the 2021 cap.<\/p>\n
Again, if the 49ers decide to keep Rosen over Sudfeld, while also keeping Sudfeld on the practice squad, then they\u2019d have $252,000 less in cap room, as the team wouldn\u2019t get that money back until 2022.<\/p>\n
By keeping Rosen, you have a guy who the 49ers could develop into a potential #2 QB, as he\u2019ll be a RFA in 2022, and the 49ers will only have to tender him the original round tender, which will be, if the cap is $208.2 million, $2.396 million, while they\u2019d get back a 1st-round pick if someone wanted him, but that\u2019s very unlikely.<\/p>\n
So we all know Jimmy Garoppolo, & Trey Lance are going to be here for 2021, the question is who is the 3rd QB? Sudfeld or Rosen? As of now I\u2019d say Sudfeld, but as I said, we have to wait and see how they look, especially in the preseason.<\/p>\n