SF 49ers: Blueprint to a successful 2021 season

No. 3: SF 49ers Must Let Free Agents Go

This one could hurt a bit.

The list of pending SF 49ers free agents includes players who were an integral part of the Niners’ resurgence last season. But as the saying goes: the NFL stands for “Not For Long.” 

Nothing could be more accurate when looking at how far the team has fallen in less than 10 months.

When the team reached the Super Bowl, players like cornerback Richard Sherman, safety Jaquiski Tartt, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, fullback Kyle Jusczcyk, and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, to name a few, made huge contributions. A total of 38 current players are set to hit some form of free agency at season’s end. Under normal circumstances, that would present any front office with a tremendous challenge. But with an expected salary-cap reduction due to the pandemic, the task of retaining these players becomes almost impossible.

In order to keep their championship window open, John Lynch needs to make the tough decision to let most of those players walk. Sherman, Tartt, Witherspoon, running back Tevin Coleman, wide receiver Trent Taylor, and Solomon Thomas should be shown the door. Defensive back Tarvarius Moore could move into a starting role to replace Tartt, and Moseley could secure one of the two starting cornerback slots. Perhaps players like Jusczcyk and left tackle Trent Williams would be able to be brought back with some creative capology by Executive Vice President of Football Operations Paraag Marathe.

But that remains to be seen.

The remaining seven games in 2020 should serve as an audition for players set to become free agents. Based on performance and cap space, Lynch should be able to weed out which players can help the team most going forward. Although keeping every productive player or players with potential would be ideal, the current state of the salary cap for San Francisco will ultimately mean parting ways with some talented players.

However, it will also allow the Niners to potentially lock up cornerstone players who will be nearing free agency as well.

Players such as Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner will need to be taken care of, which means older veterans and marginally talented ones could become cap casualties. Retaining Williams would be ideal, but his contract demands may not be within reach for the team as currently constructed.

These will be tough calls for the front office, but they will be necessary in order to field a perennial contender.