49ers Pro-Bowler predicted to land $60 million, could be on the move in 2025

The San Francisco 49ers are easily one of the most talented teams in the National Football League, perhaps even the most gifted of them all.

But the cost of having premier talent adds up quickly in 2024.

The 49ers have already paid Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. They're in a standoff with Trent Williams over a future extension. Plus, they will soon have to pay quarterback Brock Purdy, who currently makes under $1.5 million.

All this is complicated by another 49ers defensive star getting set to hit free agency. According to the latest round of contract projections, that star may be the added luxury the 49ers can't afford in 2025.

Pro-Bowl and All-Pro cornerback Charvarius Ward, coming off a season where he led the NFL in passes defended, will hit the open market in the spring. Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department projected a three-year , $60 million deal for Ward, which would put him among the highest-paid corners in the sport.

"(Ward) should be the top cornerback available in 2025 free agency," said. "(He) deserves to be among the league's highest-paid cornerbacks, and that's unlikely to change, barring injury or a massive San Francisco collapse."

Ward elevated himself in 2023, his sixth season in the league at the age of 27. He shored up a 49ers secondary that suffered a rash of injuries, set a new career-high with five interceptions, and nearly won a Super Bowl, falling to his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs.

In addition to Ward, All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga will become a free agent heading into 2025. The 49ers have just over $23 million in projected cap space for next season, but that doesn't factor in whatever Purdy ends up making.

The 49ers have done well to extend so many of their star players, but eventually, they are going to be left with some tough choices. Ward's free-agent pursuit appears likely to become one of the hardest choices they will make in the not-so-distant future.

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