3 ways 49ers can create more cap space in 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: Restructuring Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s Contract
Quarterback Tom Brady is with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Minnesota Vikings recently extended their quarterback, Kirk Cousins. Those two moves all but end any speculation the 49ers are serious about moving on from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo anytime soon.
San Francisco 49ers
Garoppolo’s one-time league-high five-year contract still looks like a bargain, as quarterback contracts only increase. Yet the Niners could rework it and wind up freeing up a substantial amount of money this upcoming season by committing to him longer than the deal’s expiration date, 2022.
Niner Noise chatted about this already with Niners Nation’s resident cap expert, Jason Hurley, and the gist of a restructure for Jimmy G would include three-plus voidable years, which would lower the base salary down to $820,000. His prorated signing bonus, currently at an annual average of $1.4 million, would be averaged out over those voidable years. Or an extension, should that be the course taken.
Doing so would free up $19 million in 2020.
Granted, there are risks associated with this kind of move. First, it would commit some serious dollars to Garoppolo for a much longer tenure. And if those wondering whether or not Garoppolo will truly excel and thrive within Kyle Shanahan’s offense, it might not be a risk worth taking.
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At the same time, getting such a deal done now could completely solidify San Francisco’s situation under center for the long term, freeing up a great deal of cap space right away.