The San Francisco 49ers officially signed restricted free agent Sam Okuayinonu to a new one-year contract.
Okuainonu received an option of first refusal on a restricted free agent tender from the 49ers. The tender would be for a one-year, non-guaranteed contract worth $3,520,000 if he chooses to participate.
advertise
According to Over the Cap, the 49ers signed the former undrafted free agent to a one-year contract at a reduced cost and provided some guaranteed money. OTC reports that the contract is worth up to $2.3 million, of which $1.8 million is guaranteed. His salary cap hit in San Francisco this season will be $2,280,000.
This is good business for both parties. Okuainonu has the opportunity to explore the free agent market after being tendered. Instead, he ended up staying in San Francisco while receiving guaranteed money even with a lower overall contract. Those guarantees don’t necessarily ensure he makes the 53-man roster, but it gives him a chance to make money even if he doesn’t end up making the team. However, given the team’s need for depth at defensive end and his improvement over the past two seasons in 31 games (15 starts), early roster projections point to him making the cut.
For the 49ers, they can retain a rotation depth player at a key position at minimal cost. In an ideal world, they wouldn’t need to rely on Okuainonu as a fourth or fifth pass rusher. However, situations in the NFL are rarely ideal, and having Okuainonu join the team on an affordable contract would be helpful.
More 49ers: The 49ers’ most interesting prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers retain DE Sam Okuayinonu on salary-cut contract
