The 49ers made waves before Saturday’s deadline for final roster cuts when it was reported they restructured defensive end Dee Ford’s deal to free up $9.5 million in salary cap space. The move pushed San Francisco’s available room against the 2020 cap to just over $18 million. Speculation began that a sizable move was coming with their newfound financial flexibility. General manager John Lynch on Sunday in a video conference with reporters said the Ford restructure was nothing more than a bookkeeping maneuver.
“I think that move was more of a house-keeping, cap mechanic type of a move,” Lynch said. “His term, in terms of how long he’s going to be here and what we’re paying him, it’s all the same. There’s going to be some things coming down the line the balance it out that don’t include going to get a big-time player. Our roster’s pretty much set. We’re always going to be looking to try to improve. I know some people, there’s been conjecture that some big move’s coming as a result of that. You’re also always building reserves.”
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was a free agent when Ford’s restructure was announced. An extension for left tackle Trent Williams was also floated on the internet as a possible reason for the move. Clowney wound up signing with the Titans, and it sounds like a Williams extension won’t be coming anytime soon.
Lynch went on to explain that the expanded practice squad and additional room for contract incentives and injuries also played a role in opening the $9.5 million in salary cap space.
“You have contingencies, and hopefully we don’t have them, for IR. And then this year’s there’s 46-man roster and incentives that we’re expecting our guys to hit. That’s why you make some of those moves. Really more of a house keeping thing than any big adjustments,” Lynch said.
While the 49ers may not have any major moves on the table this season, their cap situation will certainly be worth keeping a close eye on heading into next season where a potential $40 million dip in the projected salary cap could lead to some significant movement from San Francisco in the offseason.
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