To the chagrin of many, the San Francisco 49ers were not very active in 2025 free agency as several talented players departed on the defensive side of the ball. Other pieces of a defense that struggled last year were cut as part of what was lined up to be a restocking via the draft.
That restocking of the talent cupboard of course did come in the draft, with the Niners using their first five picks on defensive players. And all five (EDGE Mykel Williams, DT Alfred Collins, LB Nick Martin, CB Upton Stout and DT CJ West) are in line for a significant role right away.
The youth movement is here, and rightfully so.
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox has offered up the best player on each NFL team's roster who could still be cut this offseason.
For San Francisco, Knox's cut candidate feels obvious to the point some might say "wait, wasn't he cut already?"
"The San Francisco 49ers signed edge-defender Yetur Gross-Matos to a two-year, $18 million contract last offseason. While he logged a respectable four sacks and six tackles for loss last season, he'll be bumped down the depth chart by rookie first-round pick Mykel Williams."
"San Francisco, which has already parted with several pricey veterans this offseason, could save $4.8 million by releasing Gross-Matos."
How has Yetur Gross-Matos stuck on the 49ers' roster this long?
As the 49ers cut Javon Hargrave, Leonard Floyd and Maliek Collins from their defensive line this offseason, Gross-Matos somehow survived. It definitely wasn't based on his performance in the first year of an ill-conceived two-year, $18 million deal last season, as he had just four sacks over 11 games and Pro Football Focus graded him 111th overall out of 119 qualifying edge rushers.
A look at Over The Cap reveals how Gross-Matos has survived up to now. On April 1, $3 million of his $7.39 million base salary for this year became guaranteed. That created a full $9.6 million dead money hit for a pre-June 1 cut, with no cap savings.
The 49ers have willing taken on a lot of dead money this offseason, but $9.6 million for Gross-Matos after letting nearly half of his base salary become fully guaranteed was impractical.
As Knox referenced, and according to Over The Cap, the Niners can clear $4.8 million in cap space by cutting Gross-Matos after June 1. If someone was somehow willing to trade for him, they could clear $7.8 million in cap space.
The time for the 49ers to cut Gross-Matos, after they didn't do it before April 1, is coming. He should be counting the days before he's free, likely with some heads-up from the front office.
Then, the offseason overhaul of the defense will be complete.