4 reasons why SF 49ers bounce back into playoffs in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: SF 49ers take advantage of possible regression elsewhere in the NFC in 2021
The 2021 salary cap dropping as potentially low as $175 million has some serious ramifications for San Francisco, which has 40 pending free agents of some variety this offseason and over $150 million already committed to players next year..
But the drop in cap space is going to affect a number of other teams, too, and many of those are going to be in worse situations than the SF 49ers.
Especially some high-profile NFC teams.
Within the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks have a projected $17.93 available in cap space for 2021, per Over the Cap, and they have 36 pending free agents of some variety, too, including a significant portion of their so-so offensive line. And with zero first-round NFL Draft picks and just four total for 2021 right now, it might be difficult for Seattle to maintain any sort of adequate depth next season.
The LA Rams, meanwhile, are in a worse situation by being projected at more than $20.93 million over the cap for 2021. That’ll make for some tough decisions down south.
Other top NFC teams, such as the Green Bay Packers (projected to be $21 million over the cap) and New Orleans Saints (projected to be $95.1 million over the cap), could also undergo some serious roster turnover, too.
Each one of those teams’ situations could potentially shake up the balance of power within the conference, and that works to the Niners’ benefit.