The purpose brought reality: this time, the 49ers core is unlikely to return.
On Monday, a day after finishing a 6-10 season, two members of the 49ers’ Pro Bowl were surprised to look at an uncertain future.
Defender Kyle Juszczyk, a pending free agent, took a moment to compose himself before discussing the possibility that finances could prevent a return to the team.
“You got me,” said Juszczyk, in a choked voice. “Yes, it’s definitely affecting me a little differently this week.”
And tight end George Kittle did the same after being asked about quarterback CJ Beathard, his teammate for the past nine seasons since Iowa, who is also in the final year of his contract.
“I love the guy,” said Kittle, clearing his throat. “But it’s football. It’s the league. And I’m learning this, year after year, how the team is different each year. “
Coach Kyle Shanahan, at a team meeting at the end of the season via Zoom on Monday, delivered the same message he offered a year ago: The 49ers want to keep the core of a team together after having a six-win season that it can be explained in part by injuries.
However, this year is different from 2020, when they brought back 18 of the 22 starting players on their Super Bowl team. The crucial difference is that 49ers are likely to have less wage cap space to maintain a group that includes 34 unrestricted and restricted free agents.
This group includes eight players who would be regular or potential regulars in the next season: Juszczyk, left tackle Trent Williams, safety Jaquiski Tartt, cornerbacks Richard Sherman, Jason Verrett and K’Waun Williams and forwards DJ Jones and Kerry Hyder.
The $ 198.2 million salary cap will drop by an indeterminate amount in 2021 due to the loss of revenue this season due to the coronavirus pandemic. Juszczyk said he talked to Shanahan about the uncertainty caused by the unknown cap.
“Just wait and see,” said Juszczyk, “and let some pieces fit together.”
The reality that some key pieces may be elsewhere next season was crystallized on Monday when players like Juszczyk and Williams saluted the team’s culture and talent, but also offered reminders that money will be a big motivator.
Williams, 32, an eight-time selection from the Pro Bowl, had his contract reworked after he was negotiated with the 49ers in April, and part of the new deal prevents the 49ers from keeping him under the one-year franchise mark.
On Monday, Williams reiterated that it is his preference to stay with the 49ers. However, he also noted that it is rare for a left tackle of its caliber to reach the free agent market, mainly because teams ensure that elite players remain in a prominent position.
He suggested that he would like to test the open market instead of signing an extension with 49ers before the free agency starts in March.
“I have never witnessed a franchise left on the open market,” said Williams. “I’m curious to see what my value is around the league.”
Meanwhile, Juszczyk, the highest-paid defender in the NFL, also made his appearance to other teams after recognizing that it would be “hard to imagine” not playing in the 49ers’ attack, which takes advantage of his numerous skills.
“It’s easy to look around the league and say, ‘You know, many other teams are not using a defender as much as San Francisco,'” said Juszczyk. “But I’m going to pat myself on the back and say that I don’t have many other teams. So there is this opportunity, if there are other teams that don’t have me yet, that they could change the way they use a defender if I were on your team. “
49ers, due to their finances, can lose competition with players like Verrett and Hyder. The two are seven-year veterans who were not sought after in the free agent market before, mainly because of their injuries. However, each of them finally manages to make money this off-season, after enjoying the best seasons of his career.
“I’ve never been in a free agency situation where I just had no hope of being part of a team,” said Hyder. “So this will be a different year for me, where I will not be hiring under the radar. I will be a guy who will be at the top of the market. So, I really don’t know what to expect ”.
General manager John Lynch noted that before the pandemic, the 49ers, like the rest of the NFL, expected the salary cap to rise to around $ 215 million in 2021.
“It alters some plans,” said Lynch. “We were built to be sustainable. … We were created to get almost everyone back. Now we just have to be a little more creative in doing this. I think we’re going to find out a few things. “
Eric Branch covers the 49ers for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @Eric_Branch