NFL Salary Cap Projected to Top $301 Million in 2026, 49ers Eye Long-Term Solutions on Both Sides of the Ball
The NFL’s financial landscape is set to shift in a big way. According to league communication shared with teams, the 2026 salary cap is projected to surge to somewhere between $301.2 million and $305.7 million per club. That’s a significant leap from the already hefty $279.2 million cap set for 2025.
This kind of jump doesn’t just give teams more spending power-it reshapes how front offices approach roster building. For contenders like the San Francisco 49ers, it opens the door to both retaining core veterans and investing in the next generation of talent. And with a few key positions in flux, the Niners are already laying the groundwork for what’s next.
49ers Target O-Line Depth in Early 2026 Mock Draft
One area where San Francisco is clearly planning ahead? The offensive line-specifically at left tackle, where the future beyond Trent Williams is starting to come into focus.
In a recent 2026 mock draft, the 49ers were linked to Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, a technically sound prospect who may not overpower defenders but brings a well-rounded skill set and the kind of balance that NFL coaches love to work with.
Lomu, listed at 6-foot-6 and 308 pounds, turned in a strong 2025 campaign in pass protection. Per Pro Football Focus, he allowed just eight pressures and zero sacks across 383 pass-blocking snaps-a clean sheet that earned him an 82.1 pass-blocking grade, the highest of his college career. That kind of consistency in protection is a strong foundation for any NFL tackle.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. His run-blocking grade dipped to 62.0 after a more promising 70.1 mark in 2024.
That’s something the 49ers will surely key in on, especially given how much they value physicality and movement in the ground game. Still, Lomu’s extensive experience-he’s logged over 1,500 snaps at left tackle over the past two seasons-makes him a compelling long-term option.
Even if he’s not ready to start on Day 1, there’s real value in letting a young tackle develop behind a future Hall of Famer like Williams. That kind of mentorship is rare, and it could set Lomu up to thrive when his number is eventually called.
Defensive Coordinator Search: Could an Internal Option Bridge the Gap?
While the front office looks toward the future on offense, there’s a more immediate question looming on defense: Who’s calling the shots in 2026?
With the defensive coordinator role still up in the air, one name drawing attention is Gus Bradley. The veteran coach was part of the 49ers’ staff in 2025, serving as a trusted advisor to Robert Saleh and earning respect in the locker room for his pregame speeches and leadership presence.
Bradley’s track record as a coordinator spans more than a decade, and it’s a tale of two halves. His early years were marked by elite production-his 2011 and 2012 Seattle defenses ranked seventh and first in scoring defense, respectively.
In 2017, his Chargers unit finished third. But more recently, his defenses in Indianapolis struggled, finishing 28th in scoring defense in back-to-back seasons before a slight improvement to 24th in 2024.
Even so, the Colts ranked 18th in defensive expected points added during that stretch, showing some underlying competence.
For the 49ers, Bradley could represent a steady hand-someone who knows the system, understands the personnel, and can keep things on track while the team evaluates longer-term options. One internal candidate worth watching is K.J.
Wright, currently serving as the defensive quality control coach. Wright’s playing pedigree and rising coaching profile could make him a future DC in the making, and an interim solution like Bradley might buy the organization time to nurture that development.
Big Picture: Cap Room, Draft Picks, and Coaching Clarity
With a rising salary cap, a potential franchise left tackle in the pipeline, and a decision looming at defensive coordinator, the 49ers are juggling short-term competitiveness with long-term sustainability. That’s the balancing act every contender faces, and San Francisco’s front office is clearly trying to stay ahead of the curve.
Whether it’s grooming the next anchor on the offensive line or finding the right voice to lead the defense, the Niners are positioning themselves to keep their championship window open-now with even more financial flexibility to make it happen.