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San Francisco 49ers: A Budget-Conscious Guide to Free Agency

By Bryan Knowles

What might Chip Kelly and Trent Baalke cook up in free agency? Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
What might Chip Kelly and Trent Baalke cook up in free agency? Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) prepares to pass in the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) prepares to pass in the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback: Brock Osweiler, Denver Broncos

There’s really not such a thing as a budget starting quarterback. Twenty quarterbacks played in 2015 on deals which averaged more than $10 million per season, per Over the Cap

I’m not really convinced the 49ers would attempt to go through free agency to solve their quarterback woes. If they opt to not go with a high-round quarterback, I believe they’ll draft a developmental guy on the second day of the draft and start either Colin Kaepernick or Blaine Gabbert while he develops.

More from SF 49ers Free Agency

However, if Kaepernick’s relationship with the team continues to devolve, and the team as a whole decides Gabbert is not really fit to start, the 49ers could make a relative splash by signing someone currently in Santa Clara for Super Bowl 50: Brock Osweiler.

With Peyton Manning on his last legs and a decent bet to retire after the season, you’d expect the Denver Broncos to use a franchise tag on Osweiler, as he’s their presumptive starter at quarterback next year. However, the Broncos are in a bit of a bind, as Von Miller is also a pending free agent, and the Broncos may need to use their tag on him to keep the negotiating window exclusive; Miller’s a much bigger talent than Osweiler. That means, unlike  players like Kirk Cousins or Sam Bradford, Osweiler has a good chance to actually hit the open market.

Osweiler had a 5-2 record as a starter in 2015, completing just over 60 percent of his passes and throwing 10 touchdown passes. His lack of NFL experience could keep his contract value down to the average NFL starter level of $10-$13 million a year. He could be in line for an incentive-laden contract that could pay him the big bucks if he took steps forward as the undisputed starter, but still leave salary cap space to move on from him if he doesn’t continue to develop.

Next: Wide Receiver