Do you want the good or bad news first? If you chose the former first, here you go. The good news: the San Francisco 49ers will represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIV. The bad news: that will come at a price.
The 49ers in the Super Bowl won't cost them directly, of course. However, it won't be easy to retain all of their talents that helped them go from 4-12 to playing to be World Champions. They will have to make cut if they want to retain their young stars.
“They're going to have to shed money,” NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said on Radio Row in Miami, via NBC Sports. “They absolutely are.”
The 49ers will have just under $14 million in cap space to play with in 2020, per Over The Cap. While it could be worse, that's not nearly enough to retain their key free agents.
Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, safety Jimmie Ward, defensive end Arik Armstead, running back Matt Breida, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne and cornerback Jason Verrett are all in-line to unrestricted free agents in March. All are either starters or key contributors. Resigning them — and others — won't be possible with $14 million in cap space and some will likely leave.
The 49ers also have their share of players worthy of an extension. Tight end George Kittle, defensive tackle DeForest Bucker, safety Jaquiski Tartt, running back Raheem Mostert and cornerback Richard Sherman could all get extended soon. Kittle and Buckner will likely cost Brinks Truck-money.
Having a talented team is nice. It can get you to the Super Bowl. But, it comes with a price.
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