Report: 49ers strategically restructure Hargrave’s contract

While the 49ers are not officially eliminated from the 2024 playoffs just yet, this has certainly been a disappointing season for the team and it looks as if they have begun planning for handling some of their salary cap challenges in 2025. Per a league source, the 49ers recently restructured the contract of Javon Hargrave for 2025 and 2026 in what looks to be a set up to allow for a post June 1 release next year.

The 49ers reduced Hargraves’ base salary from $19.9 million to $2.1 million, dropping Hargraves salary cap number from $28.105 million to $10.305 million in the process. The original cost to cut Hargraves would have been either $24.86 million on the cap or $28.105 million during free agency if using the June 1. This will allow the team to designate Hargraves as a post June 1 release, count for just $10.3 million on the cap during free agency and then have it drop to and have his cap number count for $8.6 million in 2025 if Hargraves is still hurt and defer $17.485 million to 2026.

Hargraves does have guarantees in the contract if the team does not opt to release him. The $2.1 million base salary ensures that Hargraves, who is currently injured, will qualify for the maximum injury protection benefit allowed by the CBA if he is still injured after the season. That would count for $1.26 million on the cap and I included that in the cap charges above.

The 49ers also have the ability to designate Deebo Samuel a post June 1 release next year following a creative restructure of his contract this past March. This is a recent trend, started by the Eagles a few years ago, where they are essentially finding ways to manage their salary cap by getting the players to sign off on restructures that make it easier for the player to be released on the salary cap. The 49ers should have around $55 million in effective cap space for 2025, with a QB extension likely on the horizon for the team.

The move reportedly drops Hargrave’s 2025 salary cap hit from $28.1 million to $10.3 million, potentially opening the door for a post-June 1 release.

The previous cost to release Hargrave would have been $28.1 million if using the June 1 designation. After the restructure, the 49ers now can cut Hargrave at a cost of just 10.3 million with a post-June 1 designation.

Hargrave originally signed a four-year, $81 million contract before the 2023 NFL season, helping the 49ers reach Super Bowl LVIII, recording eight sacks in 19 appearances.

Unfortunately Hargrave’s 2024 NFL season came to an abrupt halt in Week 3, suffering a triceps injury that has sidelined the veteran defensive tackle ever since.