Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer has been working to ease the concerns of San Francisco 49ers fans since free agency began. The team has lost several key contributors while shedding expensive veterans, yet it has done little in free agency to offset those departures. Notable losses include Dre Greenlaw, Charvarius Ward, Talanoa Hufanga, Aaron Banks, and several defensive linemen.
The 49ers carry nearly $78 million in dead cap charges for players no longer on the roster. However, Breer doesn't view this offseason's moves as a full-scale teardown. Instead, he sees it as a roster churn, often comparing it to the strategic resets undertaken by the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills in recent years.
Despite the departures, Breer emphasizes that the 49ers still have a strong core in place, which will be essential for bouncing back from their six-win 2024 season.
"While a good chunk of the core of the 2023 Super Bowl team is gone now, the Niners did get ahead of a few potential losses, signing Brandon Aiyuk (four years, $120 million) and Deommodore Lenoir (five years, $88.9 million) to long-term contracts, and Jauan Jennings (two years, $15.4 million) and Colton McKivitz (1 year, $5.85 million) to shorter-term deals," Breer wrote. "That's with Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Trent Williams and Christian McCaffrey intact as All-Pro foundation pieces to build around, and with a big contract for Brock Purdy coming."
Breer also highlights that the 49ers spent $334.5 million in cash on their 2024 roster. In an effort to limit their cash spending in preparation for future financial commitments—like quarterback Brock Purdy's upcoming deal—that number has dropped to $223.3 million this year.
Ultimately, Breer believes San Francisco's future success will hinge on its draft strategy and coaching. A key offseason priority was reuniting with Robert Saleh, bringing him back as defensive coordinator.
"The bottom line: If they hit on draft picks and get good coaching, such as those Rams and Bills did, the Niners will be just fine," he concluded.