3 ways 49ers can create more cap space in 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: Cut Running Back Tevin Coleman
Things get interesting for players when they hit the mark on their contracts when there’s zero in guaranteed money left.
Such was the case for former 49ers right guard Mike Person, who was recently cut after hitting this point in 2020.
And the same argument could be made for veteran running back Tevin Coleman, who is owed nearly $5 million this upcoming season, none of which is guaranteed. There’s also zero in dead money.
San Francisco’s running back situation this offseason is more complicated than it seems. Kyle Shanahan seems to have an affinity for Coleman despite the runner’s merely OK production over the course of last year. So that’s one thing to consider. And it’s another to wonder what Jerick McKinnon’s contract restructure means in the long run.
Same with running back Matt Breida, who appeared to fall out of favor with Shanahan late in 2019 and into the playoffs, yet still received a restricted free-agent tender.
In a sense, the only known commodity with a strong case to have a featured role is Raheem Mostert.
This could be a reason why the 49ers hold onto Coleman, yet releasing that $5 million could go a long way in shoring up other areas of need for the rest of the season.