49ers Salary Cap Outlook (2026–2028): Where San Francisco Stands After the Brandon Aiyuk Fallout
The San Francisco 49ers enter the 2026 offseason in a familiar position — still contenders, still expensive, and still balancing a Super Bowl chase against an unforgiving salary cap.
With Brock Purdy now extended and Brandon Aiyuk slated for a post–June 1 release, the financial picture is finally coming into focus. The question is no longer if the window closes — but when.
📊 49ers Salary Cap Snapshot — January 2026
| Category | Amount | League Rank |
|---|---|---|
| NFL Salary Cap | ~$272M | — |
| Total Cap Space | ~$30M | 12th–15th |
| Effective Cap Space | ~$20–22M | Mid-Pack |
| Dead Money | $30M+ | Top 10 |
The headline cap number looks healthy, but as usual with San Francisco, dead money is the real story. Staying in win-now mode always comes with a bill.
🧾 Brandon Aiyuk: Post–June 1 Release Breakdown
Aiyuk’s 2024 extension was designed to push cap hits into future seasons. Once guarantees were voided, the 49ers pivoted toward a post–June 1 release to avoid taking one massive hit in a single year.
| Year | Cap Impact | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ~$15.4M | Final active cap hit |
| 2026 | ~$13.3M | Dead money (Post–June 1) |
| 2027 | ~$21.2M | Remaining bonus proration |
| 2028+ | $0 | Off the books |
🔐 Core 49ers Cap Hits (2026)
| Player | Cap Hit | Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Brock Purdy | $38–40M | Franchise QB era begins |
| Nick Bosa | ~$42M | Restructure likely |
| Fred Warner | ~$27M | Decision year |
| George Kittle | ~$20M | Restructure candidate |
| Christian McCaffrey | ~$18M | Under contract through 2027 |
⏳ The Real Super Bowl Window
- 2026–2027 is the final push with this core.
- Dead money peaks while stars age together.
- By 2028, flexibility returns — but the roster changes.
The 49ers aren’t reckless with the cap — they’re calculated. But even the best cap gymnastics eventually meet gravity.
The clock isn’t ticking loudly yet — but it’s on the wall.
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