3 positives of 49ers not trading for Julio Jones
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers save money they can use on a Fred Warner extension
While the two aren’t necessarily exclusive, and this isn’t an either-or case, a would-be Niners trade for Julio Jones would have cost San Francisco over $15 million in 2021 and at least $11.5 million the next two seasons, per Over the Cap.
And that’s if Jones doesn’t push for what could be a hefty contract extension after landing in Tennessee. It wouldn’t be shocking at all if the Titans end up having to increase that number in the very near future.
The 49ers not having to spend that kind of money on Jones means they can spend it elsewhere, namely on arguably the most pressing financial issue the team faces: extending All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner.
Related Story: 49ers better extend Fred Warner sooner than later
Warner, entering the final year of his rookie deal, could easily command more than the top linebacker salary in the NFL, currently, given to the Seattle Seahawks’ Bobby Wagner at an average annual value of $18 million.
The Niners currently have just under $18 million in cap space but without their top three rookie NFL Draft picks signed. Had Jones been acquired, it would have taken some cap creativity to both onboard that contract while signing those rookies, and the notable decrease in possible cap carryover to 2022 would have made extending Warner a lot more difficult.
It shouldn’t be now.