Niner Noise
FanSided

Breaking Down the 49ers’ Salary Cap After the First Wave of Free Agency

By Akash Anavarathan

Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 23, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) celebrates a fourth down stop during the second half of a football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Raiders won 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) celebrates a fourth down stop during the second half of a football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Raiders won 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebacker Malcolm Smith

The most questionable signing that John Lynch has made so far is LB Malcolm Smith. Coming from the Oakland Raiders, many were surprised to hear Smith was due to make $26.5 million over five years.

2020 and 2021 are option years, meaning it’s realistically a three-year contract. Taken from Over the Cap, here’s the full contract details.

2017 Cap Number: $3,684,375

Base Salary: $2,000,000

Prorated Bonus: $1,400,000

Roster Bonus: $250,000

Workout Bonus: $50,000

2018 Cap Number: $4,700,000

Base Salary: $3,000,000

Prorated Bonus: $1,400,000

Roster Bonus: $250,000

Workout Bonus: $50,000

2019 Cap Number: $5,450,000

Base Salary: $3,750,000

Prorated Bonus: $1,400,000

Roster Bonus: $250,000

Workout Bonus: $50,000

2020 Cap Number: $6,100,000

Base Salary: $4,400,000

Prorated Bonus: $1,400,000

Roster Bonus: $250,000

Workout Bonus: $50,000

2021 Cap Number: $6,550,000

Base Salary: $4,850,000

Prorated Bonus: $1,400,000

Roster Bonus: $250,000

Workout Bonus: $50,000

The major takeaway from Smith’s contract is that the last two are option years, making it a three-year deal. This is pretty similar to what Pierre Garcon received, but it was still surprising to see Malcolm Smith make this much.