Which means it's time for personnel decisions, likely coaching staff departures, and of course, quarterback talk.
But, one of the biggest questions that the 49ers face come with free agent right tackle Mike McGlinchey, who is likely to earn the most money of any San Francisco free agent in 2022.
McGlinchey has faced his ups and downs as a 49er, but has been a valuable run-defender, and the starting right tackle for the past five seasons.
However, he is likely to command a hefty salary on the open market, and could look for a fresh opportunity after the amount of backlash he received in San Francisco.
So, should the 49ers re-sign him to an extension?
McGlinchey contract
The right tackle market has certainly increased over the past few seasons, due to the limited top-end talent at the position, with tackles Taylor Moton, Braden Smith, and Jack Conklin all recently earning excess of $15 million annually on their respective deals.
The 28-year-old tackle enters free agency as the top right tackle on the market alongside Atlanta Falcons' Kaleb McGary, who is one year younger than McGlinchey.
The baseline for a McGlinchey contract, given the likely amount of interested suitors and his play, would likely be Cleveland Browns right tackle Jack Conklin's four-year, $60 million contract.
Conklin earned his deal when he was McGary's age, but with the ever-improving market, as well as the number of suitors on the open market, it wouldn't surprise if McGlinchey exceeded that contract as well.
Decision
With the salary cap for the 2022-2023 season officially set at $224.2 million, the San Francisco 49ers will have $13.7 million in cap space heading into free agency, according to Spotrac.
Including McGlinchey, the 49ers will have to deal with 24 other free agents, while also managing a hefty extension for defensive end Nick Bosa, which makes it an extremely tough decision, given the scarcity of the position and the stability that the right tackle has provided, health-wise.
However, it truly depends on where the 49ers' priorities land this offseason.
Losing McGlinchey, despite his inefficiencies, would be huge for the 49ers if they don't have an apparent replacement of his caliber, given what he does in the running game and that pass protection has already been an issue at times this season, especially in the playoffs.
But, if they have their eyes elsewhere in free agency, they may not have a choice, which has been a theme for playoff teams trying to keep rosters together.
For what it's worth, NBC Sports's Matt Maiocco anticipated that the 49ers do not retain McGlinchey, instead moving forward with offensive lineman Colton McKivitz.
"There is always a strong market for experienced offensive lineman, and McGlinchey figures to get himself a sizable multi-year contract — more than likely, not with the 49ers. The 49ers have been grooming Colton McKivitz to take over, so that appears to be the most-logical move for the team," wrote Maiocco.
If the 49ers do retain him, a four-year deal worth around $60 million makes sense for both sides.
- Rohan Chakravarthi
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Written by:Writer/Reporter for 49ers Webzone
