San Francisco 49ers DE Nick Bosa
Getty
San Francisco 49ers DE Nick Bosa
The San Francisco 49ers entered Saturday morning with a little over $25 million in cap space.
The team spent $14.13 million on star wide receiver Mike Evans, and followed it up with more notable moves, signing fan-favorite linebacker Dre Greenlaw to a $7.5 million deal, offensive tackle Vederian Lowe for $4.625 million, linebacker Luke Gifford for $2.65 million, and cornerback Nate Hobbs for $4 million.
But with some big names still on the free-agent market and the 2026 NFL draft coming up, the 49ers wanted to make sure they had some wiggle room with their salary cap — and star defensive end Nick Bosa provided it.
Bosa Helps 49ers Clear Big Chunk of Cap Space
San Francisco 49ers DE Nick Bosa and OT Trent Williams
GettySan Francisco 49ers DE Nick Bosa and OT Trent Williams
According to Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac, Bosa agreed to a contract restructure that freed up a little more than $17 million in funds in 2026, bringing the team’s current cap space to $42.24 million, per Over the Cap.
“The #49ers converted $21.4M of Nick Bosa’s salary into signing bonus, clearing $17.1M of 2026 cap space,” Ginnitti wrote. “Bosa is guaranteed $22.7M in 2026, with another $764k locked in next season.”
The added money could go toward helping San Francisco re-sign perennial Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams. The two sides have been trying to hash out a new deal but have hit a stalemate over the last two weeks.
Williams, who’s entering the final year of his contract, is due to make a $22.2 million salary with a $13.325 million signing bonus. At 37 years old, it’s unlikely any new deal Williams would sign would be for more than 2 or 3 years.
Bosa’s Restructure Does Have a Downside
San Francisco 49ers DE Nick Bosa
GettySan Francisco 49ers DE Nick Bosa
On the surface, the Bosa restructure seems innocent enough — San Francisco gets more cap flexibility next season, and the former No. 2 overall pick is doing his part to help the team build a competitive roster.
However, the move does have a drawback that the 49ers will have to face head-on on year from now.
“The 49ers did a simple restructure on Nick Bosa’s contract, clearing $17.172 million in 2026 cap space,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero wrote on X. “Bosa is still due $23.18 million this season. His 2027 cap number is now a whopping $54,866,753.”
The way things stand now (after the Bosa restructure), San Francisco is projected to be nearly $10 million over the 2027 salary cap, and the team has to now pay the star DE nearly $55 million next year — and that doesn’t take into account any contracts that have yet to be signed the rest of this offseason.
The good news is there is some cap flexibility in 2027.
If recently acquired defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa doesn’t pan out in 2026, the team can cut him next year, save $20.5 million and walk away with no dead-cap hit. San Francisco could also restructure Odighizuwa’s contract, which would save $14.992 million.