San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan
San Francisco 49ers Head Coach could mean San Francisco has several decisions. bye All-Pro. While San Francisco is still projected to be in the 2024 salary cap, they have very little money to work with.
That’s why Niners Nation writer Rohan Chakravarthi suggested the 49ers cut Linebacker Kyle Juszczyk. Juszczyk has become a fan favorite for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s team. But his cap hit feels bloated compared to what he can deliver.
“At the top of the list, we’re going with the boldest option: quarterback Kyle Juzczyk, who was with the 49ers during the Kyle Shanahan era,” Chakravarthi wrote on Feb. 18. “Now the 49ers could move on from Juszczyk and save $4.91 million in cap space, which could be crucial for another free agency. With crucial salary decisions coming up this offseason, the 49ers have some needs in free agency, but they also have to pay extra money with their first and second round draft picks, so saving five million would be a realistic option for San Francisco.
Despite the linebacker being somewhat overlooked at the NFL level, the 49ers got a lot out of Juszczyk. doesn’t that necessarily justify his high salary
Juszczyk finds role in San Francisco
Since joining the 49ers in 2017, Juszczyk has made 7 straight Pro Bowls and earned All-Pro honors in the 2023 season. There isn’t much competition for these honors, but it’s still a testament to Juszczyk’s contribution.
Although the main role of fullbacks is usually blocking, Juszczyk was a constant presence as a receiver. The Harvard alum has at least 100 receiving yards and at least one touchdown in each of his seven seasons in San Francisco.
However, his 2023 season was statistically his least productive season in San Francisco. Pro Football Reference shows he caught 14 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns. He also had five rushes for 6 yards.
Again, quarterbacks shouldn’t be judged by stats alone. But as he approaches his 33rd birthday and his cap hit increases, it creates a negative matchup.
The 49ers and the salary cap
Spotrac is currently reporting that San Francisco will be about $570,000 in cap space next year. Obviously, that doesn’t cut it. They need to be able to pay their players for what they do and extend players like WR Brandon Aiyuk if possible.
Cutting Juszczyk would open up that $5 million, which is still too little to do anything with. Chakravarthi also suggested CB Isaiah Oliver, C Jake Brendel and RT Colton McKivitz as other potential cut candidates in his article.
If the 49ers lost those three players as well, it would save another $9.4 million. A cap hit of nearly $15 million would allow the 49ers to take care of the essentials. But it’s still not a war chest to make moves or expand.
The 49ers will likely have to restructure several large contracts to create such funds..
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