49ers 2020 NFL free agency tracker: Latest moves, rumors and updates
By Peter Panacy
2020 NFL free agency officially starts today, and the San Francisco 49ers moves and stories linked are contained right here in Niner Noise’s high-tech tracking system.
OK, so the San Francisco 49ers‘ moves or non-moves at the start of 2020 NFL free agency won’t be hemmed in by some technologically advanced device, rather just the human brain, eyes and hands on a keyboard. But you get the point.
Today, March 18, marks the official start of the league’s new year. As far as free agency is concerned, today also marks the date where all contracts ending in 2019 officially expire. Unrestricted free agents may now sign with any other team at will, although the two-day “legal tampering” window preceding today’s date ultimately means some deals are announced right at the kickoff time at 4 p.m. ET.
The Niners have a number of pending free agents, both restricted and unrestricted, who’ll command a good deal of attention over the next few days. Aside from offensive guard Andrew Lauderdale, San Francisco has negotiated tenders with all its exclusive-rights free agents. So you can cross those names off the table heading into 2020.
San Francisco also retained defensive lineman Ronald Blair on a one-year deal, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Running back Jerick McKinnon also had his contract reworked, freeing up more cap space. Offensive guard Mike Person was cut, while the team replaced him with former New York Jets guard Tom Compton.
Right now, according to Over the Cap, the 49ers have $16,756,290 in available cap space. That number will inevitably change, especially if general manager John Lynch and Co. execute some cap-casualty cuts, trades or contract renegotiations. But it does stress the point San Francisco will likely be limited in bringing aboard any top-name free agents to hit the open market.
Instead, there is probably going to be more news about players leaving the Niners this offseason as opposed to sticking around.
And as far as the news, reports and rumors go, Niner Noise breaks down all the action for you right here in our 2020 NFL free agency tracker for day one.