The 49ers are working their way through OTAs, and as we continue prepping for the upcoming season, it seemed a good time for another swing through the positions. This time around, we are looking at the salary cap figures for the players competing in each position group. The 49ers have a ton of cap space, so it should not play a huge role in deciding roster spots, but it is always interesting to consider.
We are started off with quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends,offensive line, defensive line, and outside linebackers. Today, we move on to the inside linebackers. We've got a list of the pertinent numbers for each player, and anything key points associated with the given contract. We've also added info about dead money and cap savings for each player if they are released. June 1 is just around the corner, so we'll consider all cuts post-June 1 cuts.
NaVorro Bowman
Year |
Cap Hit |
Base |
SB |
Per Game RB |
2016 |
$9,554,000 |
$5,850,000 |
$2,954,000 |
$750,000 |
2017 |
$8,954,000 |
$6,750,000 |
$1,454,000 |
$750,000 |
2018 |
$10,104,000 |
$8,700,000 |
$654,000 |
$750,000 |
If cut
Dead money: $2,954,000
Cap savings: $6,600,000
Bowman is the only inside linebacker that is under contract long term, and is likely to be with the 49ers for much of the duration of the contract. Bowman’s 2016 base salary is guaranteed for $4.17 million, while 2017 and 2018 have no guarantees.
Gerald Hodges Jr.
Year |
Cap Hit |
Base |
2016 |
$1,671,000 |
$1,671,000 |
If cut
Dead money: $0
Cap savings: $1,671,000
Hodges is my favorite to win the 3-man race for the other starting inside linebacker spot opposite NaVorro Bowman.
Michael Wilhoite
Year |
Cap Hit |
Base |
2016 |
$1,671,000 |
$1,671,000 |
If cut
Dead money: $0
Cap savings: $1,671,000
I know some think that Wilhoite could be cut or traded, but I think he sticks. He has started when needed, and isn’t that bad of a player.
Nick Bellore
Year |
Cap Hit |
Base |
SB |
WO Bonus |
LTBE |
2016 |
$1,130,000 |
$760,000 |
$15,000 |
$50,000 |
$305,000 |
If cut
Dead money: $15,000
Cap savings: $1,115,000
As much as I like Bellore, I think he could be one of the teams final cuts. For someone who is special teams only, it’s tough to justify keeping Bellore over someone like Ray-Ray Armstrong.
Ray-Ray Armstrong
Year |
Cap Hit |
Base |
WK 1 RB |
2016 |
$700,000 |
$675,000 |
$25,000 |
If cut
Dead money: $0
Cap savings: $700,000
Armstrong is in the three-man race for the starting inside linebacker spot beside NaVorro Bowman. He has no guaranteed money, and just a $25,000 roster bonus for making the week 1 roster. I think Armstrong has a better case than Bellore for the 53-man roster for two reasons: 1) He is in the 3-man race for the other starting spot, and 2) He actually can contribute on defense, as well as special teams.
Shayne Skov
Year |
Cap Hit |
Base |
2016 |
$525,000 |
$525,000 |
If cut
Dead money: $0
Cap savings: $525,000
Wynton McManis
Year |
Cap Hit |
Base |
SB |
2016 |
$450,833 |
$450,000 |
$833 |
2017 |
$540,833 |
$540,000 |
$833 |
2018 |
$630,834 |
$630,000 |
$834 |
If cut
Dead money: $833
Cap savings: $450,000
McManis has the longest odds of any of the other inside linebackers, and at best is destined for the 10-man practice squad.
As always you can follow me on Twitter, @Jay_AB81, or check our salary cap section here, on Niners Nation, which is now officially the exclusive home for my salary cap information.