The San Francisco 49ers enter 2026 with nearly $72 million in cap space, and the way that money is managed matters just as much as the talent on the roster. The plan is to carry over as much of that figure as possible into next season, especially with some recently signed deals set to toll forward. That puts a spotlight on how the 49ers have built their contracts, where the base salaries for most of their stars sit just above $1 million and bonuses do most of the heavy lifting.
When it comes to the best deal on the roster, Colton McKivitz stands out as the clearest value. There’s at least an honorable mention case for Osa Odighizuwa, whose guaranteed salary is just above McKivitz’s, but the right tackle is the easy pick for bang for the buck.
Trent Williams still gets the headlines on the offensive line, yet McKivitz has quietly become a dependable starter on the right side. However you feel about the 49ers’ offensive line approach, there’s no denying the business of it has worked: they drafted Mike McGlinchey, let him leave, and replaced that production for pennies on the dollar.
The numbers back up the case. Pro Football Focus has McKivitz ranked 8th among NFL tackles with an offensive grade of 84.2.
Williams, for comparison, is 3rd. In the run game, McKivitz checks in 4th with a 90.4 grade.
His pass protection is a step lower, but still solid at 72.6. Tackle is one of the league’s premium spots, and the 49ers are getting real production there without paying premium money.
The worst contract is just as obvious: Brandon Aiyuk. It’s a low-hanging-fruit answer, sure, but it’s still the right one.
Until Aiyuk applies for reinstatement, the 49ers aren’t responsible for any money. If he does come back and reports to the building, the team would likely release him and absorb the dead money, which matches his prorated bonus figure.
In the meantime, the 49ers would save $6,302,000 in cap space.
The bigger issue is the return, or lack of it. The 49ers are getting almost nothing back from the contract they handed Aiyuk, which makes the deal a painful miss. 2023 will always be there, but this one has turned brutal and could make the 49ers think twice before giving another receiver extension. Godspeed, Ricky Pearsall.
In Other News...
Stefon Diggs Suddenly Makes Sense For A 49ers Team In Need
With Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall and Christian Kirk expected to open as the 49ers top wideouts, San Franciscos receiver room already looks deeper than it did a year ago. Rookie DeZhaun Stribling is in the mix for snaps too, giving the offense a handful of options as it tries to keep pace with the rest of the NFC. Even so, the idea of adding another proven target has real appeal for a team that wants more than just competent depth on the perimeter.
That is where Stefon Diggs starts to make a lot of sense. He is coming off a productive season in New England after returning from an ACL tear, and he has made it clear he still views himself as someone who can line up against anyone. For a 49ers offense that could use another playmaker to complement its current group, Diggs would bring both production and a little edge, especially if the passing game needs extra help while the season unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Camp Opens With A Familiar Christian McCaffrey Concern
The 49ers opened camp with the same familiar question that tends to follow Christian McCaffrey around: who can handle the load behind him if the season starts asking for more than one back to carry it? McCaffrey led the NFL in touches last season, and San Francisco is again sorting through a backup group that includes Jordan James, Kaelon Black, Isaac Guerendo, Sincere McCormick and Patrick Taylor Jr., with the usual camp competition set to sort out the pecking order.
Jordan James, Kaelon Black and Isaac Guerendo look like the names to watch most closely in that race, especially with the 49ers typically carrying four running backs and a fullback on the roster. Special teams work will matter too, which means the battle is about more than just who runs well in drills. For Guerendo, in particular, the pressure is obvious after last years limited availability, and San Francisco still has to find out whether the group behind McCaffrey can offer enough reliability to make the roster decisions straightforward. [Read more 🡒]