The San Francisco 49ers broad 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 completely happy to oblige the request and regarded ready to maneuver on from him a technique or one other. On Saturday, it occurred.
Additionally it is a considerably expensive transfer for them.
Regardless that 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 lifeless cap quantity, with all of it to be absorbed this season.
Regardless that the 49ers nonetheless have loads of wage cap room to work with this offseason, that lifeless cash hit will put an enormous dent into their offseason plans.
The choice to that may 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 will have allowed the 49ers to spread the dead cap number 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 might need been considering that it’s higher to get the dead-money hit out of the best way abruptly 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 present is.
Both approach, it’s removed from an excellent 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 an especially small return and at the moment are on the hook for a huge cap quantity that’s being occupied by no one this season. In addition they nonetheless should discover a substitute for Samuel, whereas additionally deciding if they will maintain Brandon Aiyuk or critically entertain the commerce calls they’ve reportedly acquired on him.
