Major Contract Extensions Needed Soon
Over the next few years, the San Francisco 49ers will need to have cap space in order to hand out substantial contract extensions to key players. In the immediate future, next up on the list will be George Kittle, one of the NFL’s best tight ends.
Kittle is strongly outplaying his current contract and is set to account for just slightly above $2 million in 2020. When looking at the landscape of the tight end market, it’s important to consider Austin Hooper landed a four-year deal worth $42 million earlier in the offseason.
In the next two offseasons, the 49ers will have to break the bank to sign Nick Bosa to a contract extension. The price tag for standout edge rushers has climbed considerably since Khalil Mack reset the market. For reference, Nick’s brother, Joey, agreed to a five-year extension worth $135 million.
The 49ers already traded standout pass-rusher, DeForest Buckner, due to salary cap purposes. His impact was crucial in the makeup of what made San Francisco’s defense so effective last season. Moving him and then later breaking the bank for a safety doesn’t make much sense.
With Jamal Adams being under contract for the next two seasons, the 49ers would have had to deal with handing out extensions for Bosa and Adams within a very close period. It would have made their salary cap situation potentially problematic.
