San Francisco’s 2025 cap pivot centers on Deebo Samuel’s trade to Washington for Brian Robinson and a later pick, a move that trims roughly $20 million in cap space by shedding Deebo and Jordan Mason’s salaries. Washington will retain about $1.25 million of Robinson’s $3.406 million 2025 salary, while San Francisco pays $2.156 million this season. TheNiners sit with strong cap space now (about $46.8M) but face a sharp drop next year and a potential cliff by 2027, thanks to heavy guarantees for Williams, Bosa, Kittle, Purdy, and McCaffrey.

San Francisco’s plan hinges on contract maneuvering, extensions, and continued drafting talent on rookie deals to stay competitive as the core ages. Releasing players like Bryce Huff could save $17.1M in 2026 and $11.7M in 2027, while the 2027 savings otherwise rely on Deommodore Lenoir’s feasible deal. The article also notes Hargrave’s $16.1M dead-money hit next year, complicating the short-term balance sheet.

From a fantasy and betting lens, Samuel’s shift to Washington alters target shares and risk in SF’s offense, elevating Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and McCaffrey as the likely primary producers, while Robinson’s role in Washington repositions the backfield dynamic. Marques Sigle’s emergence as a potential starter adds intrigue to SF’s depth chart, while SF’s cap strategy underscores the importance of rookie-scale talent and lightening big-money commitments to stay viable beyond 2025.