49ers salary cap: 5 biggest contracts entering 2022
By Peter Panacy
![George Kittle #85 celebrates with Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) George Kittle #85 celebrates with Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a661041b066755bd121b42969581ab6ef32d2211a8d8a36e8fb6a2b6f1d67cf3.jpg)
49ers salary cap player No. 2: DT Arik Armstead
2022 scheduled salary: $20 million
The 49ers’ next highest-paid player for 2022 is defensive tackle Arik Armstead, who received that notable five-year, $85 million extension early in 2020, which paralleled the Niners’ decision to trade away Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner that same offseason.
Armstead might not receive the adoration Buckner had during his San Francisco tenure. Yet there are plenty of indicators why Armstead is so vital to the 49ers defensive line.
If Armstead is on the roster by April 1, 2022 (and there’s no reason to assume he won’t be), another $5.85 million will be fully guaranteed.
There is the possibility, however, the Niners look at restructuring Armstead’s deal this offseason, which could free up over $9.8 million in 2022 by adding more voidable years beyond the current voided 2025 contract year.
At that point, the NFL salary cap is expected to be significantly higher than it’s anticipated to be this season.