The San Francisco 49ers large receiver overhaul is underway following Saturday’s commerce with the Washington Commanders. The 49ers are sending Deebo Samuel to the Commanders in change for a 2025 fifth-round draft choose.
Samuel has seemingly been on the best way out of San Francisco because the offseason started. He not solely requested a commerce, however the 49ers appeared pleased to oblige the request and seemed ready to maneuver on from him a technique or one other. On Saturday, it occurred.
It’s also a considerably pricey transfer for them.
Although the Commanders are paying all of Samuel’s $17 million wage for the 2025 season, the 49ers are going to be on the hook for a $31 million useless cap quantity, with all of it to be absorbed this season.
Although the 49ers nonetheless have loads of wage cap room to work with this offseason, that useless cash hit will put an enormous dent into their offseason plans.
The choice to that might have been merely releasing Samuel earlier than he was due a $15 million roster bonus on March 22 with a post-June 1 designation. That might have allowed the 49ers to unfold the useless cap quantity over two seasons, with solely $10 million on the books for this season and greater than $20 million on the books subsequent season.
The 49ers may need been considering that it’s higher to get the dead-money hit out of the best way unexpectedly and never have to fret about something subsequent season, particularly when quarterback Brock Purdy will doubtless be enjoying underneath a brand new and much dearer contract than he at the moment is.
Both manner, it’s removed from a really perfect state of affairs for the 49ers.
Not solely are they dropping a participant that has been a key a part of their offense over the previous 5 years, however they acquired a particularly small return and are actually on the hook for a huge cap quantity that’s being occupied by no one this season. In addition they nonetheless must discover a alternative for Samuel, whereas additionally deciding if they will preserve Brandon Aiyuk or severely entertain the commerce calls they’ve reportedly acquired on him.
