SF 49ers news: 2021 salary cap reported to be about $183 million

The SF 49ers can start planning for their offseason a bit better knowing the 2021 salary cap is going to be approximately $183 million, per a report.

The SF 49ers aren’t alone in delaying many of their important financial decisions until they have a better understanding what the 2021 salary cap will be.

But according to a report from Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Niners general manager John Lynch and the rest of the league should have a much better understanding what the cap will be heading towards the league new year this March.

Citing a source, Florio reported the 2021 salary cap won’t get up to $185 million, rather settling somewhere between $182 million and $183 million:

"Per a league source with knowledge of the situation, it’s possible that the number will be more than $180 million — but the number most likely won’t reach $185 million.The final number for the salary cap, per the source, could land in the range of $182 million to $183 million."

The global COVID-19 pandemic cut into what was an ongoing trend of the cap increasing on a year-to-year basis. In 2020, the cap was set at $198.2 million, but the notable losses in league revenue because of the pandemic was ultimately going to force a decrease.

Late last offseason, there was speculation it could drop as low as $175 million before Over the Cap began speculating it would be roughly at $180 million.

At least the additional $2 or $3 million should be a small little bonus.

From a financial standpoint, the SF 49ers aren’t in the league’s worst situation. They currently sit at over $13 million over a projected $180.5 million salary cap, per Over the Cap. Nearly a third of the league is over that cap amount, including the New Orleans Saints being at a league-high $69.5 million over the cap.

Still, the Niners aren’t exactly in a position where they can spend lucratively this offseason, either in a series of attempts to re-sign key players like left tackle Trent Williams and fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who both figure to command top dollar on the open market. And San Francisco likely won’t be able to aggressively pursue many of the high-profile likely cap casualties other teams will be forced to cut between now and the league new year this March either.

If there is a bonus, though, having a more concrete knowledge of what the cap should be will ultimately help the SF 49ers prepare for their offseason plans.

Whatever they may be.