The biggest questions facing the 49ers this offseason

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) pass against San Francisco 49ers defensive linemen Arik Armstead during the second half of Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020. (David Santiago/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) /

Can they keep Armstead and Ward?

Undoubtedly the 49ers’ two highest-profile free agents are defensive lineman Arik Armstead and free safety Jimmie Ward.

A year ago, few would have placed re-signing either of them as a priority. However, they each enjoyed excellent contract years, and the 49ers are likely to have to juggle things around financially to keep them on the roster.

Armstead had a career-high 10 sacks in the regular season while Ward blossomed playing the single-high role in San Francisco’s Cover 3 defense.

The 49ers are set to enter 2020 with $19.6 million in cap space, per Spotrac, and have extensions for George Kittle and DeForest Buckner on the agenda.

Restructures of Weston Richburg and Kwon Alexander’s contracts should give them some wiggle room, and Lynch is keen to make sure Armstead is a long-term fixture of the team.

Lynch said of Armstead: “He had an excellent year. I think everything is on the table. We want to find a way to keep him and make him a part of the 49ers for a long time.”

Armstead and Ward have each expressed a desire to remain 49ers. San Francisco’s ability to make that happen will likely dictate their draft plans.