3 players 49ers likely cut to create cap space in 2020

No. 3: Offensive Guard Mike Person

It sure seemed like a great idea when the 49ers inked right guard Mike Person to a three-year extension back early in 2019. After all, the perennial journeyman lineman performed more than adequately in 2018, his first season in San Francisco, and was the epitome of reliable and capable.

For the most part, Person’s presence on the field was the same in 2019, although he missed two games with a neck injury. There were also some notable times during the playoffs where Person’s seemingly always-reliable performance was less than adequate, lending to the idea the Niners need to make some notable upgrades along the interior of their offensive line.

Person’s contract is interesting enough, putting him on this list. He has zero in guaranteed money over the final two years of his contract, and San Francisco could generate $2.5 million in cap space with zero in dead money, should the team part ways with him this offseason.

Granted, that opens up a void the 49ers would have to fill. But during those two games Person missed, the Niners received adequate production from former AAF offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill, who suddenly seems to be part of the team’s long-term plans.

Perhaps Brunskill is the interim answer, should San Francisco try to save $2.5 million by letting Person walk.

In this case, it’s the contract speaking the most about the player’s immediate future.