The San Francisco 49ers wound up saving money on wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk this season by getting his long-term extension done.
Aiyuk was due a fully-guaranteed $14,124,000 with the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. There was always going to be an opportunity for them to lower that $14.12 million cap hit with a new contract, but details have given us an exact cap number for him in 2024.
According to Over the Cap, Aiyuk’s salary cap hit in 2024 is now $5,725,000. That means the 49ers actually save $8,399,000 against the cap this season. His cap hit jumps to $11,191,000 in 2025, and then $16,223,000 the following year.
While there are no guarantees beyond the 2026 season, Aiyuk’s cap hits skyrocket to $42,282,000 in 2027 and $44,158,000 in 2028 – both numbers that figure to be reduced dramatically via a restructured deal or an extension if he’s going to stay with San Francisco.
The 49ers are now sitting with the second-most cap space in the NFL according to OTC. They’re at $48,231,713 in available room, just behind the Browns who have north of $51 million in space.
That number will come down some once Trent Williams is back with the club. He’s not on the roster as of August 31, so his cap hit doesn’t factor into the 49ers’ total. Still, they’ll have plenty of cap space to maneuver during the season while also having some rollover room going into 2025.
Salary cap space will start to become something the 49ers will have to watch very carefully with Williams’ deal coming, and quarterback Brock Purdy’s megadeal looming next offseason.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3]