SF 49ers: 5 players who are in line for massive paydays in 2021
By Peter Panacy
The SF 49ers have a number of current players who’ll be receiving hefty contracts in 2021, although some might not be with the Niners.
One of the key problems the SF 49ers faced heading into 2020 was dealing with the realization they had created a Super Bowl-caliber roster made up largely of young, up-and-coming players.
It’s simple. Good teams are comprised of good players, and good players tend to want to get paid accordingly when the time comes. Such was the case last offseason with Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, whose contract asking price eventually led general manager John Lynch to trade him away to the Indianapolis Colts where Buckner inked his massive new contract extension.
The Niners couldn’t pay Buckner, at least not the upfront money right away.
While the 2020 season hasn’t gone according to plan, the same problem faces Lynch and Co. this offseason. The salary cap next year is expected to drop as low as $175 million, and San Francisco already has over $156 million committed to players in 2021. There could be some cap maneuvering, of course.
But it doesn’t overlook the fact a number of key players on the SF 49ers’ current roster are going to get paid this upcoming season including the five listed here.
Whether or not it’s with the Niners is an entirely different question, though.
All salary cap and contractual information courtesy of Over the Cap unless otherwise indicated.
No. 5: SF 49ers Cornerback Jason Verrett
2020 Contract Value: $1,047,500
If it weren’t for Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith, cornerback Jason Verrett could easily be a favorite for the 2020 Comeback Player of the Year award after missing all but two snaps from 2019 and dealing with a slew of injuries dating back to 2016 that forced him to miss all but six regular-season games during the span of those years leading up to this season.
Despite being mostly absent last season, San Francisco re-signed Verrett to another one-year deal, and he’s finally delivered, looking like the highly touted prospect out of TCU from way back in 2014.
In total through 11 games played, Verrett has notched 44 tackles, six passes defended and two interceptions, all in line to match or beat his career-best numbers from his Pro Bowl 2015 season.
But the most important part has been his ability to stay healthy.
To date, the SF 49ers haven’t had any re-sign conversations with Verrett, and it’s possible he might have played himself out of the Niners’ financial comfort range.
Coming off nearly a career-best year, however, there’s a very good chance the veteran corner cashes in on a nice deal. One potentially away from San Francisco.