49ers prepared to run it back, but can they keep Brandon Aiyuk in the fold?

Eric Williams

NFC West Writer

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch will take a few days to recover from the pain of losing yet another Super Bowl.

Soon after, both will get down to the tough task of once again putting together a roster capable of getting back to the big game. Lynch said he and San Francisco’s personnel department already started the process of working toward that goal, constructing roster iterations for next season that Shanahan will have final say on.

“We’ve got a lot of really good players that we’ve acquired in a variety of ways,” Lynch told reporters this week. “The more good players you get, the tougher decisions you have. It’s tough to take care of everyone, but I know a lot of players want to be here. 

“I’ve already had those conversations with people and there’s a way to get it done. … We’re looking forward to that opportunity to get into that process. He [Shanahan] needs a break. My job’s just getting going. I’m already, just talking about it, getting excited.”

Most of San Francisco’s foundational players are under contract for the 2024 season. Key contributors slated to hit free agency include edge rusher Chase Young, picked up in a midseason trade, along with backup quarterback Sam Darnold, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, safety Tashaun Gibson and special teams standout Chris Conley. Receiver Jauan Jennings is set to become a restricted free agent. 

However, the 49ers have salary cap limitations for the upcoming season given the top-heavy way they built their roster, paying high-dollar salaries to frontline players like Trent Williams, Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, Deebo Samuel, Arik Armstead, Fred Warner, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Charvarius Ward and Brandon Aiyuk.

Those 10 players make up a little over $210 million of San Francisco’s potential salary cap spending for 2024. A projected cap of $245 million for the upcoming season leaves…

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Publish date : 2024-02-15 20:30:10

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