SANTA CLARA — There’s plenty of analysis explaining all that is wrong with the 49ers. They’re stuck in a L-W-L-W-L-W-L rut since a 3-0 start but still on the playoff fringe at 6-4.
But let’s be clear about one false narrative. The 49ers are not in a bad way because of their purge of the 2024 roster by coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. As much as the 49ers spoke of regret in bidding adieu to so many players, the process was logical and well thought out.
With just one exception, the ex-49ers haven’t exactly gone on to bigger and better things in their new homes. The idea of making the roster younger and shedding salary hasn’t stopped the 49ers from paying out $332,657,039 in actual salary, the fourth highest total in the NFL according to financial website spotrac.com.
It’s fair to criticize the 49ers giving extra cash to mainstays such as Fred Warner and George Kittle and debate the wisdom of sinking a maximum of $265 million in quarterback Brock Purdy.
They’re not cheapskates as much as they didn’t bring in enough good players to support their core inthe event of disaster.
The 49ers could have also made a move or three in free agency that wouldn’t have broken the bank and maybe made them better prepared for the rash of injuries that have their season in peril.
But changes were necessary after going 6-11 and in pretty much every case the 49ers made the right call in terms of departures.
The 49ers (6-4) visit the Arizona Cardinals (3-6) Sunday (Fox, 1:05 p.m.)
A look at how old faces are doing in new places, and there’s not much in the way of regret:
S Talanoa Hufanga, UFA to Denver
Three years, $45 million maximum, $20 million guaranteed
Hufanga hasn’t missed a game and has been something approximating his All-Pro form with the 49ers. He’s got 70 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and played 100 percent of the snaps in five of 10 game. He’s on schedule for 1,099 snaps, which would be a career high after seeing his 49ers career stalled by a torn ACL, a torn wrist ligament and ankle issues.
Denver, however, leads the NFL with 46 sacks. It masks Hufanga’s deficiencies in coverage (he has no interceptions). It would be considerably more difficult with the 49ers and their anemic pass rush.
LB Dre Greenlaw, UFA to Denver
Three years, maximum of $31.5 million, $11.5 million guaranteed
Started the season on the physically unable to perform list with a quadriceps injury and has played in just three games (he missed one on suspension due to a post-game altercation). Has played well upon his return with 19 tackles, a sack, a pass defensed and a forced fumble. But how long can he stay healthy?
G Aaron Banks, UFA to Green Bay
Four years, maximum of $77 million, $29 million guaranteed
Don’t expect Banks to come anywhere near the maximum on his contract. Beset by a concussion and other injury issues in 2024, Banks this season has had neck, back, ankle, groin and shin injuries and has come up way short in terms of expectations. Pro Football Focus isn’t necessarily the gospel, but the data site has Banks ranked 55th of 74 guards in the NFL.
CB Charvarius Ward, UFA to Indianapolis
Three years, maximum of $60 million, $30.5 million guaranteed
Ward started off well for the Colts but after four games got in a pregame collision with teammate Drew Ogletree and has missed the last four games on injured reserve with a severe concussion. After the heartbreak of losing his 2-year-old daughter last year, Ward was open about wanting a change of scenery and the 49ers spent their big money on teammate Deommodore Lenoir.
T Jaylon Moore, UFA to Kansas City
Two years, $30 million maximum, $21.2 guaranteed
Having played in nine games with four starts, Moore signed on as a starter but has settled into his more familiar role as swing tackle with the 49ers. An adequate substitute who made a lot of money while substituting for Trent Williams with the 49ers.
WR Deebo Samuel, traded to Washington
Restructured deal to pay between $17 and $20 million for one year
Better than his last forgettable year with 49ers, but not by a lot. Has 46 receptions for 396 yards, 4 TDs. No games with 100 yards of receiving/rushing. Drew the ire of Peyton Manning on ESPN’s Manning cast for having a screen pass bounce off his hands and to a Kansas City defender for a key interception.
DT Javon Hargrave, released, signed with Minnesota
Two years, $30 million maximum, $19 million guaranteed
A Pro Bowler in his first year with 49ers and out with a torn triceps after three games in 2024, Hargrave helped the 49ers make it to the Super Bowl. But in truth he was never the dominant defender they envisioned with a big free agent strike (four years, maximum of $84 million) that needed approval from ownership. Has thee sacks for Vikings and coming off his best game against Detroit.
DE Leonard Floyd, released, signed with Atlanta
One year, $10 million, fully guaranteed
Although he had 8 1/2 sacks, Floyd was never a fit as an end in terms of setting an edge with his hand on the ground with the 49ers. With Atlanta, Floyd has 1 1/2 sacks in eight games and missed one due to injury. On pace for lowest sack total since having three in 2019.
CB Isaac Yiadom, UFA to New Orleans
Three years, $9 million maximum, $4.86 million guaranteed
Started five games for the 49ers in 2024. His snaps have dwindled from 66 to 38 to 24 to 12 and hasn’t played on defense in the last four games in New Orleans.
CB Rock Ya-Sin, UFA to Detroit
One year, $1.17 million
Ya-Sin has been a good value on a veteran minimum contract. He’s played in eight games with two stats and has five passes defensed. Played 136 snaps on defense with the 49ers in 2024, has 172 with the Lions.
QB Joshua Dobbs, UFA to New England
Two years, maximum of $8 million, $3.8 million guaranteed
Dobbs never earned Shanahan’s trust running the offense. Instead, the 49ers signed Mac Jones to a two-year deal that could max out at $11.5 million in incentives. Jones has already hit some of them. Dobbs has played 16 snaps and thrown two passes mopping up for Drake Maye.
QB Brandon Allen, UFA to Tennessee
One year, $1.42 million maximum, $1 million guaranteed
Has yet to take a snap as the backup to No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward.