The 49ers’ Biggest Mistake in Free Agency

Didn't the 49ers learn their lesson? Apparently not.

For the most part, the 49ers signings this offseason have been prudent and cost-efficient. They really didn't overpay for anyone.

Even releasing Arik Armstead wasn't a mistake, although it was a shock. But it was smart, because Armstead is expensive and he isn't durable. The 49ers can't have players like him on their roster anymore. 

But the reason Armstead was so expensive and the 49ers had to cut him is because they restructured his contract in 2023 after he already had hit 30. That was a mistake, and the 49ers paid for it this offseason when they had to cut bait with him.

Then they made the same mistake by restructuring the contracts of Javon Hargrave and George Kittle -- two more players who are older than 30. Didn't the 49ers learn their lesson? Apparently not.

Restructuring those deals created more cap space for the 49ers this year, but less space for 2025, when the 49ers are currently scheduled to be roughly $10 million over the cap. And that's before Brandon Aiyuk's extension and the incoming rookie class. Which means the 49ers could be closer to $20 million over the cap next year, which is not ideal.

The 49ers are one of the oldest teams in the league. They need to start moving on from players such as Armstead, Hargrave and Kittle and transition to paying younger players such as Aiyuk and Brock Purdy. Continuously restructuring older players' contracts every offseason is bad business, and the 49ers will pay for it. They already are.