Here are other San Francisco 49ers-related storylines that might interest you.
Jimmy Garoppolo discusses Jalen Hurd
Niners quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was asked about wide receiver Jalen Hurd during an interview on 95.7 The Game. The wideout has yet to appear in an NFL game since the Niners made him a third-round draft pick in 2019.
Hurd missed his rookie campaign due to a back injury and all of last season after suffering a torn ACL during training camp.
"Jay, he's come a long way. He really has," Garoppolo said. "I mean, route running, just developing his body, and becoming a pro. ... I'm dying to get him out there right now. I really am. He's such a physical freak, just the things he can do and his route-running with the ball in his hands. It's very impressive. And so, hopefully, we can put those on display and get him out there as soon as possible."
2022 NFL salary cap increase
The salary cap for the 2022 season is expected to increase from this year's ceiling of $182.5 million to $208.2 million, per Dan Graziano of ESPN. That's an increase of 14 percent and represents a $10 million increase over 2020's ceiling.
Per source, the NFL and the NFLPA have agreed to a salary cap ceiling of $208.2 million for the 2022 season. If it gets there, that would be a 14 percent increase over the 2021 cap of $182.5 million. (more)
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) May 26, 2021
If revenues call for a cap higher than $208.2M in 2022, excess revenues would be used to pay back the $17 million in player benefits that were canceled as a result of the COVID-19 amendments the league and union agreed to last July. (more)
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) May 26, 2021
Originally, the July 2020 agreement said the $17 million in canceled 2020 player benefits would be paid back after 2023. The new agreement allows those to be paid back sooner IF revenues call for a cap higher than the agreed-upon $208.2 million in 2022.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) May 26, 2021
The 2019 cap (pre-COVID) was $198.2M per team, and at the time the cap was growing by about $10M per year. At that pace, the 2022 cap would have been about $218M. So $208.2M still isn't "caught up." But it would exceed the expectations of many who feared cap might stay flat.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) May 26, 2021
49ers, Rams listed as co-favorites for NFC West title
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, there is a tie between the 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams for the betting favorite to win the NFC West title (h/t to Sports Illustrated). Coming in at third are the Seattle Seahawks, followed by the Arizona Cardinals.
Odds for the NFC West title winner, per DraftKings Sportsbook:
- 49ers +180
- Rams +180
- Seahawks +300
- Cardinals +600