Being a San Francisco 49ers fan right now isn’t exactly a walk in the park.
Just a year after coming painfully close to winning the Super Bowl, the team has been hit with a brutal reality check in free agency like being jolted awake from a peaceful nap with a slap in the face, followed by a bucket of ice-cold water.
Since the NFL’s legal tampering period began, the 49ers have suffered an exodus of key players. As Sports Illustrated’s Tyler Lauletta put it on March 14, “A slew of stars and franchise cornerstones have said their goodbyes.” Wide receiver Deebo Samuel was traded to the Commanders, Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk was released, and linebacking standout Dre Greenlaw is now a Denver Bronco, along with safety Talanoa Hufanga. Cornerback Charvarius Ward has joined the Colts, and to make matters worse, the Niners lost out on signing Joey Bosa even with his brother Nick Bosa on the roster who instead landed with the Buffalo Bills.
With so many departures, it seems like the only truly safe player in San Francisco is quarterback Brock Purdy.
Could the Broncos Capitalize on the 49ers’ Fire Sale?
For the Denver Broncos, the 49ers’ chaotic offseason could open the door to a major opportunity: acquiring NFL All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, who was also the 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
On March 12, ESPN’s Ryan Clark made a bold statement:
“I would absolutely trade Christian McCaffrey and try to get as much as possible for him. You had McCaffrey, you made your Super Bowl run, and it didn’t happen… If you’re going to rebuild, then rebuild completely.”
If the 49ers take that approach, Denver could pounce on a rare chance to land one of the league’s most dynamic offensive weapons.
49ers Set Free Agency Record For the Wrong Reason
San Francisco isn’t just losing players it’s setting unwanted records.
CBS Sports’ Douglas Clawson reported on March 14 that through the first four days of free agency, other teams have spent $321 million on former 49ers an all-time record for most money spent on a single team’s departing free agents. In contrast, the 49ers have handed out just $37 million, creating a $284 million spending deficit the worst in NFL history by a margin of over $80 million.
The likely reason? The 49ers are shedding salary to prepare for Brock Purdy’s upcoming contract extension. According to Spotrac, the 25-year-old quarterback is projected to sign a 4-year, $238.9 million deal, averaging $59.7 million per year.
What Would It Take for the Broncos to Land McCaffrey?
If Denver wants to acquire McCaffrey, they have a good idea of what it might cost. Back in October 2022, the Carolina Panthers traded McCaffrey to San Francisco for four draft picks: a 2023 second, third, fourth, and fifth-rounder.
For the Broncos, a 2025 first, third, and fifth-round pick might be enough to get a deal done especially if McCaffrey is fully recovered from injuries that limited him to just four games in 2024.
The real challenge, however, lies in his contract. McCaffrey still has $46.2 million left on his deal, which runs through the 2027 season and would push his total career earnings to a massive $127.4 million.
A Win-Win Move?
With the 49ers in clear rebuilding mode and the Broncos looking for a game-changing addition, a McCaffrey trade could benefit both teams. San Francisco gets valuable draft capital, while Denver gains an elite offensive weapon to help push them into Super Bowl contention in 2025.
As free agency chaos continues, all eyes will be on whether the Broncos make their move or if the 49ers hold onto their superstar despite the shifting tides.
