The San Francisco 49ers have managed to build one of the strongest rosters in the NFL, developing homegrown talent, while making the necessary additions via the trade market and free agency to establish themselves as a perennial contender.
However, as players continue to get older and earn second contracts, the 49ers are finding themselves in limbo between paying their own players and getting younger at certain positions in an effort to remain salary cap-compliant.
They’ve already begun to face the ramifications, having released longtime defensive tackle Arik Armstead this offseason, while more decisions could be on the way next offseason, with a number of key free agents set to hit the open market in 2025.