49ers roster: How Dee Ford release will impact salary cap

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San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Dee Ford (55) Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers aren’t likely to retain Dee Ford too long into 2022 offseason

Earlier this offseason, John Lynch spoke about Dee Ford’s dwindling prospects for a healthy recovery and return to the squad, telling the media the following:

No surprise but sounds very unlikely DE Dee Ford will be back with #49ers next season. GM John Lynch: "I don’t see a lot of hope in him being a factor for us on the field moving forward." Ford's back injury just hasn't progressed to give Niners belief a return is possible.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) March 28, 2022

“I don’t see a lot of hope in him being a factor for us on the field moving forward,” Lynch said.

Compounding the reality of this, San Francisco used its first pick of the 2022 NFL Draft on an apparent replacement for Ford, former USC EDGE Drake Jackson, who was picked up at No. 61 overall and figures to be an every-down player once his development is fully reached.

Yet the 49ers couldn’t exactly experience many benefits if they simply got rid of Ford earlier this offseason.

We have to look at why June 1 was such an important date to reach between the two parties.