49ers Lead NFL in $92M Dead Salary Cap Hits for 2025

The San Francisco 49ers are leading the NFL in dead salary cap money for 2025, with over $92 million in dead cap hits largely due to offseason roster cuts and trades, including a $34 million charge from trading wide receiver Deebo Samuel. This high dead cap total stems from past contract strategies involving void years and extensions that spread player salaries over multiple years, allowing short-term roster flexibility but resulting in substantial dead money now. Despite this financial burden, the 49ers have managed to maintain an estimated $53.5 million in cap space, the second most in the league, partly because quarterback Brock Purdy's lucrative contract extension will not significantly impact the cap until 2026. The team purposely accelerated dead cap into 2025 to clear space in future years, though they still carry notable dead money into 2026, including charges related to Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins. While the 49ers' salary cap situation reflects previous poor contract decisions, it has not precluded them from being considered a strong playoff contender in 2025, aided by a favorable schedule and the potential return of key players like Christian McCaffrey. Overall, the 49ers' financial strategy reflects a trade-off between short-term dead money hits and long-term roster flexibility as they aim to rebound from a disappointing 2024 season.