There will most likely be a couple of tough 49ers decisions that need to be made following the 2023 season. While this season has not even started, fans are already discussing how important this season really is. Here is a look at why there are going to be tough 49ers decisions following the season.
49ers Decisions Following 2023
While the San Francisco 49ers have made the NFC Championship three times in the last four years and even made the Super Bowl once, this upcoming season will be crucial. It has been an accomplishment that the team still has the majority of their 2019 Super Bowl squad, but that comes with a price.
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) – Scot Tucker/AP Photo
While the overall cap space grows every year, especially with new TV deals, players’ contracts also continue to grow. Many of the players, such as Fred Warner, have already restructured their contracts and will not be able to do so again next year. This is going to mean the loss of contracted players, which leads to difficult 49ers decisions.
Before examining the potential players that fans are already debating if they will still be on the team in 2024, contracts need to be discussed. Currently, the 49ers and Nick Bosa are working on an extension. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has had his fifth-year option picked up, giving San Francisco time to figure out how to extend him.
Here is a look at some of the cap hits for each player in 2024, according to Over the Cap:
Deebo Samuel: $28.5 million
George Kittle: $19.8 million
Arik Armstead: $25.6 million
Trent Williams: $28 million
Fred Warner: $24.4 million
This in no way infers all of these players will be leaving the team next year, just that 49ers fans should not be surprised if there are any trades. There is always a chance that if Trent Williams decides it is time to retire, he will adjust his contract a bit. It should also be noted that if Brock Purdy remains the starting quarterback, his cap hit would be around just $1 million. As for Trey Lance, his cap hit is around $10.8 million. Unless Lance truly does win the starting spot, that will also be something to think about.
The top debate that is happening amongst fans is if the 49ers will keep Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel. The logic is it will be too difficult to keep both, and as they are in the same position, one may have to go. If there is a tough 49ers decision about which to keep, it will most likely depend on this coming season.
Brandon Aiyuk has remained healthier than Deebo Samuel, but Samuel is the more versatile player. In 2022, Aiyuk had 78 receptions for 1015 yards in the regular season. Samuel had 56 receptions for 632 yards. There is always a chance that both players stay, and the team is better when both are playing, but this is still a current debate amongst fans.
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) – Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP Photo
When these tough 49ers decisions do occur, it will be important to remember that the league is still a business. If a player leaves, it will be because the team felt it was the best business decision. No one knows officially what the overall cap number for the league will be, and the team may still have the 2024 season with these players, but there will be a limited number of players to restructure their contracts.
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch has continuously made it clear that they will always listen to trade offers. Something that may ease these 49ers decisions is the number of players the team let go in free agency in 2023. They made the choice to let players such as Jimmie Ward, Emmanuel Moseley, and Mike McGlinchey walk, which was definitely the cheaper option.
All of this makes the 2023 season even more important. One of the 49ers decisions in the offseason was to bring in Javon Hargrave. They spent the money knowing the team had a need for that position. Last season the team traded for running back Christian McCaffrey. San Francisco is in a win-now mode after losing in the NFC Championship game last year. Many believe the team finally found their quarterback, and while he is on a rookie contract, they need to take advantage of these high-priced players.
As for now, all the fans and team can do is prepare for the 2023 season before fully debating the 2024 49ers decisions.
