After losing in Super Bowl LVIII to the Kansas City Chiefs, the San Francisco 49ers entered the offseason recognizing they needed to make changes with salary-cap issues on the horizon. Already parting ways with Arik Armstead, another core member of the 49ers roster now faces an uncertain future.
San Francisco is releasing defensive lineman Arik Armstead after the former first-round pick refused to take a pay cut. By designating Armsstead as a post-June 1 release, the 49ers will create $17.802 million in cap space for the 2024 NFL season.
- San Francsco 49ers cap space 2024: -$285,281
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However, with the likes of Brandon Aiyuk and Charvarius Ward needing contract extensions before the 2025 season, general manager John Lynch needs to create more cap flexibility. It’s proving to be difficult, especially in light of recent developments of one of the team’s most important offensive players.
According to Adam Caplan of Pro Football Network, the 49ers asked fullback Kyle Juszczyk to take a pay cut for the 2024 season to help the club create cap space. As of now, the All-Pro fullback has declined a salary reduction and the situation is “up in the air” going forward.
- Kyle Juszczyk contract: $7.588 million cap hit in 2024, $4.9 million cap savings if pre-June 1 release
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Juszczyk earned first-team All-Pro honors this past year and has consistently been one of the best fullbacks in the NFL. Once a fourth-round pick out of Harvard by the Baltimore Ravens, he has earned eight consecutive Pro Bowl selections.
The 49ers’ offensive weapon is by far the highest-paid fullback in the NFL. Juszczyk leads his position with a $5.4 million average annual salary, more than $1 million more than the next player and his $7.588 million cap hit in 2024 is more than $2 million higher than the second-largest cap hit (Patrick Ricard, $5.155 million) at that position.
San Francisco is still working through ways to try and reduce Juszczyk’s salary for the upcoming season and the release of Armstead could help them avoid having to make a far more difficult decision with their fullback. If he were to be released, Juszczyk would be in high demand in NFL free agency.
