San Francisco 49ers’ two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Javon Hargrave’s 2024 campaign and second season in San Francisco came to an abrupt end in September. Hargrave suffered a significant partially torn triceps in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams. As a result, the Pro Bowler underwent surgery to repair his triceps, and the 49ers soon placed him on season-ending injured reserve ahead of Week 4.
Before the 49ers adjusted Hargrave’s contract, he had two years left of his 4-year, $84 million contract, which he signed during the 2023 offseason. He was slated to have a base salary of $19.9 million and a cap hit of $28.105 million for 2025. Finally, he had a base salary of $21.65 million and a cap hit of $29.855 million for 2026.
The San Francisco 49ers adjusted their Pro Bowler’s contract, signaling a likely departure this offseason
As previously discussed on Gridiron Heroics in early December, according to salary cap expert Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap, the 49ers restructured Javon Hargrave’s contract by lowering his base salary from $19.9 million to $2.1 million base salary injury guarantee and his cap hit from $28.105 million to $10.305 million for 2025. As Fitzgerald pointed out, the front office restructured Hargrave’s contract to provide immediate cap relief and to designate him as a post-June 1 cut this offseason.
“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,” Fitzgerald said.
“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.”
The 49ers will release a Pro Bowl defender this offseason but are open to a reunion
According to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, during Wednesday’s press conference, John Lynch told the media that the plan is for the 49ers to designate Javon Hargrave as a post-June 1 cut designation this offseason. Designating Hargrave as a post-June 1 cut would allow the 49ers to split his $24.86 million dead cap hit into 2026. They would incur a dead cap hit of $7.375 million, free up $2.85 million for 2025, and incur a dead cap hit of $17.485 million for 2026. However, as Meirov points out, the 49ers are open to bringing him back on a new deal.
The #49ers will release DT Javon Hargrave this offseason when the new league year begins, but are open to bringing him back on a new deal, per GM John Lynch. pic.twitter.com/YirScbkaI8
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 8, 2025
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