Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Only three teams have spent less than the 49ers since 2013
The NFLPA released the numbers of how much each NFL team has spent over the past four league years. Under the 2011 CBA, NFL clubs are required to spend at least 89 percent of the salary cap in cash averaged during a four-year period. The 49ers, who are often criticized by fans for their lack of spending and maintaining a surplus of salary cap space, are surprisingly compliant with the requirement.
The four-year period being measured is between 2013 and 2016. The total salary cap during that period is $554.55 million. That would make $493.55 million the required 89 percent. The 49ers, over that four-year span, have spent $514.49 million.
Only three teams have spent less than the 49ers from 2013 through 2016. Those teams may surprise you. They are the New England Patriots, the Carolina Panthers, and the Oakland Raiders.
The Patriots are contenders each and every season. The Panthers were in the Super Bowl in February. The Raiders are currently on pace for the top seed in the AFC with a 10-2 record. So not only are the 49ers among the teams that are spending the least but apparently, the money they are spending is being spent badly.
As long as you are drafting wisely, spending less is not necessarily a bad thing. However, the team's inability to build for the future has put them in their current situation. The 49ers have just one win this season and have lost 11 in a row, which is a franchise record. They are widely considered to have one of the weakest rosters in the league.
It is interesting to note that just one (Philadelphia) of the top seven spenders in the list below currently has a losing record.
The next four-year period for minimum spending runs from 2017 through 2020.
| Team |
2013-2016 Spending |
| Philadelphia Eagles |
$613,928,134 |
| Denver Broncos |
$587,712,791 |
| Seattle Seahawks |
$584,305,975 |
| Green Bay Packers |
$583,138,740 |
| Miami Dolphins |
$577,975,260 |
| Kansas City Chiefs |
$575,541,332 |
| Buffalo Bills |
$573,647,850 |
| Chicago Bears |
$568,301,610 |
| Cincinnati Bengals |
$567,289,411 |
| Baltimore Ravens |
$562,425,698 |
| San Diego Chargers |
$562,232,116 |
| Indianapolis Colts |
$556,335,689 |
| Atlanta Falcons |
$550,614,572 |
| New York Giants |
$543,787,033 |
| Arizona Cardinals |
$543,327,538 |
| Los Angeles Rams |
$541,957,711 |
| New Orleans Saints |
$539,836,498 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
$539,736,102 |
| Minnesota Vikings |
$539,162,454 |
| New York Jets |
$533,151,519 |
| Washington Redskins |
$532,545,662 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers |
$530,698,171 |
| Detroit Lions |
$530,210,549 |
| Tennessee Titans |
$524,505,258 |
| Dallas Cowboys |
$523,033,036 |
| Houston Texans |
$517,212,166 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars |
$516,908,734 |
| Cleveland Browns |
$516,158,864 |
| San Francisco 49ers |
$514,488,198 |
| New England Patriots |
$500,083,836 |
| Carolina Panthers |
$495,149,346 |
| Oakland Raiders |
$491,433,408 |
More San Francisco 49ers News
Schefter: 49ers believe Trey Lance is 'closer to playing this season' than Mac Jones
By David Bonilla
May 3, 2021
Adam Schefter is among those who spearheaded the rampant speculation that the San Francisco 49ers were likely to select Mac Jones of Alabama. Of course, along the way, he acknowledged that was speculation based on what he heard from around the league.
No one outside of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch knew what the team's decision-makers were thinking. Schefter repeatedly made that clear.
One of the criticisms of Lance was the former Bison's inexperience. The 49ers kept Jimmy Garoppolo, and the plan is for the veteran to be the team's starter for the upcoming season. If Lance doesn't play, that means the rookie will have missed nearly the entirety of two consecutive seasons, with his last in-game action being in a non-conference game on
McShay believes Trey Lance will start more games for the 49ers in 2021 than Jimmy Garoppolo
By David Bonilla
May 7, 2021
San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York recently spoke with NBC Sports Bay Area and called the team's decision to hold onto Jimmy Garoppolo while drafting his replacement an investment in Trey Lance's future. Basically, that means York had no problem holding onto the veteran quarterback and his hefty salary if it means affording Lance the luxury of sitting, learning, and eventually being better for it.
"So, for us, if you invest $25 (million) or $50 million into your rookie to get them ready, then to me, we're investing in the long-term future of our team," York told Matt Maiocco. "And you never want to put somebody out there, especially a guy who you heard the sort of parlance
49ers announce roster moves, waive three
By Site Staff
May 4, 2021
The San Francisco 49ers announced that the team has waived the following three players:
CB Adonis Alexander
WR Matt Cole
S Chris Edwards
Cole appeared in one game with San Francisco in 2020 after signing with the team on December 24, 2020.
Edwards was signed by the 49ers on November 24, 2020. He was waived on December 1, 2020, and on the following day, he was signed to the team's practice squad, where he spent the remainder of the season. On January 4, Edwards was signed to a reserve/future contract with the team.
Alexander also signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers on January
49ers, other NFC West teams add players through International Player Pathway program
By Site Staff
May 4, 2021
The following is a press release from the NFL.
Four teams will carry an additional international player on their practice squads in 2021 as part of the International Player Pathway program, the NFL announced today. Instituted in 2017, the program aims to provide elite international athletes the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster.
Player
Position
Country
NFL CLUB
Aaron Donkor
LB
Germany
Seattle Seahawks
Alfredo Gutierrez
OL
Mexico
San Francisco 49ers
Max
