After three straight deep postseason runs, the San Francisco 49ers had a deeply disappointing 2024 season. The 49ers were a disaster on both ends of the field, more notably defensively, and finished the year 6-11. With the No. 11 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and a projected $48 million in cap space per OverTheCap, San Francisco is looking to make big changes this offseason to go back to the playoffs next season.
General Manager John Lynch obviously has major decisions to make, starting with Brock Purdy’s contract extension. With free agency right around the corner, the 49ers began making roster moves to set themselves up for the crucial offseason. In fact, they already cut ties with four players who finished the 2024 season on the 49ers practice squad.
Players who finish the season on the practice squad are signed to reserve/future deals from teams that want to retain them. Ones who aren’t signed become free agents.
The 49ers retained most of their practice squad players from last season. However, they parted ways with RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn, WR Ronnie Bell, and DT Nesta Jade Silvera. They also designated veteran defensive lineman Javon Hargrave as post-June 1 release.
Silvera wasn’t able to make his debut with the 49ers last season but signed a reserve/futures contract with the Packers upon his release.
The former third-round pick Vaugn was elevated three times to the active roster last season and played a total of three offensive and 14 special teams snaps.
Ronnie Bell, on the other hand, played in nine games after appearing in all 17 games as a rookie. Following a promising rookie campaign, the seventh-round pick was waived by the Niners during the season and re-signed to the practice squad. After not being retained by San Francisco, Bell signed a reserve/future deal with the Lions two weeks ago.
Hargrave will obviously be the biggest loss for the 49ers. Lynch revealed in his end-of-season presser that the team was planning to release Hargrave when the new league year starts in March. The post-June 1 designation means Hargrave will count $8.6 million in dead money in 2025 and $17.485 million in 2026, saving San Francisco a ton of money.
The 49ers will still have a chance to re-sign him but he will be a free agent with an option to sign anywhere else.
49ers fans will be keeping a close eye on what the future holds for their former players.
