3 surprise cuts the 49ers can make this offseason

Dee Ford is a candidate to be cut post June 1 because he cannot stay healthy

The 49ers have not gotten the productivity they were hoping for out of defensive end Dee Ford the last few seasons. Ford was coming off a Pro Bowl campaign in 2018 where he was offsides in the Kansas City Chiefs’ most critical game of the season. The former Auburn standout signed a five-year deal worth $85.5 million in 2019 NFL free agency. It has been a truly frustrating contract.

Ford has only played in 18 games in the last three years combined. He has played in just seven since his first year with the organization. While the 49ers are probably ready to cut bait with him because he cannot stay healthy, they are going to have to eat so much money because of that restructure. While he is only a $11.9 million cap hit, Ford is a $14.4 million dead cap hit this year.

Fortunately for the 49ers, that dead cap number drops down to roughly $9.5 million post June 1, meaning the 49ers could actually save some money by cutting him later this summer. For that reason, Ford will stay on the 49ers roster at least through the 2022 NFL Draft. His minimal cap relief will not be felt until well after free agency. The 49ers are going to have to ride this one out.

How the last two seasons have played out for Ford show the horrors that can come in free agency.