Who's likely to stay with 49ers or go elsewhere
With only rookie-contract quarterbacks signed to the 2023 roster, the 49ers are in good shape in terms of the salary cap but will still make some hard decisions regarding who stays and who goes with the draft and free agency approaching.
After the disappointment of losing the NFC Championship Game 31-7 to the Philadelphia Eagles, coach Kyle Shanahan is in the process of adjusting his coaching staff with the departures of defensive coordinator Demeco Ryans and passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik — both to the Houston Texans.
The presence of Ryans and Slowik in Houston makes the Texans prime candidates to land any one of a number of 49ers unrestricted free agents for stepin-and-start roles. The same goes for former 49ers assistants who are head coaches in Miami (Mike Mcdaniel) and the New York Jets (Robert Saleh).
According to Overthecap.com, the 49ers at present have just over $8.813 million in salary cap room. More space could come in the form of a contract extension to NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa, whose current figure of more than $17.5 million comes under a fifth-year option.
Bosa will almost certainly not play under that option, and a long-term deal would likely include a minimum salary to go with a pro-rated bonus which would lower the cap number in 2023.
A look at 49ers players scheduled for free agency, which begins with the negotiating period March 13-15:
Out the door
QB JIMMY GAROPPOLO >> He's got Joe Montana in his corner, but most everyone else including Shanahan and Lynch realizes the situation is dramatically different than a year ago. Jimmy G has all the leverage. And he'll use it.
RT MIKE MCGLINCHEY >> Strong run-blocker will cash in after making it through the season healthy. Could end up with an average salary between $15 million and $16 million. A solid late-season game against the Raiders' Maxx Crosby drove his price up. Too rich for the 49ers' blood.
DB JIMMIE WARD >> Ward never missed a chance to remind everyone he was a displaced free safety in 2022. The fact is, he was more valuable as a slot corner. Doubt the 49ers want to have to convince him all over again.
OLB: AZEEZ AL-SHAAIR >> Played in 12 games with nine starts and 42 percent of the snaps as Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw rarely leave the field. Alshaair could be in line for that opportunity elsewhere and the big raise that comes with it.
Sticking around
CB EMMANUEL MOSELEY >> Lost to a torn ACL in Week 5, Lynch made it sound in his postseason wrap-up like Moseley in terms of makeup is everything the 49ers want in a cover corner. Assuming he accepts the offer, he'll get every chance to return to form.
C JAKE BRENDEL >> Played
more snaps than anyone on the roster. Since Shanahan arrived in 2017, the 49ers have cycled through Daniel Kilgore, Weston Richberg and Alex Mack. Brendel could provide some more long-term stability.
OL DANIEL BRUNSKILL >> Can play all five positions along the offensive line in a pinch and with limited practice time. That kind of versatility should get him at least another year or two.
DE JORDAN WILLIS >> Had a pair of sacks in nine games with no starts due to injury but the coaching staff loves what he brings in terms of a serious, professional approach as well as his skill set.
LS TAYBOR PEPPER >> You never hear anything about him during a broadcast.
Exactly what you want in a long-snapper.
Could go either way
K ROBBIE GOULD >> His Super Bowl scouting report on Jalen Hurts left something to be desired, but the guy is clutch – especially in the postseason. Will depend as much on where he wants to play as much as salary.
S TASHAUN GIPSON >> Gipson's five interceptions and 141 yards in return yardage were his most since 2014 when he had six picks and 158 yards for Cleveland when Shanahan was offensive coordinator. At 32, did the 49ers get his last big year or do they think he can do it again?
S TARVARIUS MOORE >> A third-round draft pick in
2018, Moore has never developed into the starting safety the 49ers hoped for but has been a constant contributor on special teams.
DE KERRY HYDER JR. >> A solid rotational player for depth on the edge, the question is whether at age 31 the 49ers will look to go younger along the D-line.
TE ROSS DWELLEY >> Has filled in capably when George Kittle is injured and contributes on special teams but played just 13 percent of snaps on offense – the lowest since his rookie year in 2018.
TE TYLER KROFT >> Probably not fair, but will be associated with the missed Haason Reddick block and the injury to Brock Purdy. Hard to see Kroft and Dwelley both back as the 49ers try to identify their next Kittle.
DE SAMSON EBUKAM >> Undersized at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, Ebukam can play stout but lacks the quicktwitch burst that would be ideal for a player on the opposite side of Nick Bosa.
DE CHARLES OMENIHU >> Played in all 17 games with three starts and a careerbest 4 ½ sacks. His late-season arrest for misdemeanor domestic violence may or may not impact his status.
DT T.Y.MCGILL >> Nine-year veteran of five teams gave the 49ers some help as a reserve in nine games when Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw were ailing.
DT HASSAN RIDGEWAY >> Finished the season on injured reserve with a pectoral injury and like Mcgill was primarily used for interior depth.
TE JORDAN MATTHEWS >> Lost to a torn ACL in a non-contact drill in August. At age 30, he's among the tight end glut after Kittle and Charlie Woerner.
DT MAURICE HURST >> Awful luck with injuries since being drafted by the Raiders in 2018. Lost in training camp to a torn biceps and did not return.
QB JOSH JOHNSON >> His number will be kept on speed dial in case of emergency because he knows the system and is respected by the coaching staff.
Restricted and exclusive rights free agents
The following players remain under the 49ers' control: T Colton Mckivitz (RFA), DE Kevin Givens (RFA), LB Demetrius Flangian-fowles (RFA), WR Jauan Jennings (ERFA).