The San Francisco 49ers are officially on the path to the next phase of the 2025 NFL offseason. Organized team activities (OTAs) and the annual mandatory minicamp are in the rearview, leaving the 49ers to focus on next month's training camp, beginning on July 15 for rookies before veterans join the mix one week later.
Although training camp is right around the corner, the 49ers' 90-man roster could look different next month if general manager John Lynch isn't done wheeling and dealing. A handful of San Francisco players could be sent packing if there already isn't a spot for them in head coach Kyle Shanahan's lineup, and that includes a veteran defender likely on the trade block after OTAs.
49ers DE Yetur Gross-Matos Could Be on Trade Block After OTAs
Yetur Gross-Matos is one candidate to be on the trade block this summer. The former Penn State pass rusher is about to enter the final season of the two-year, $18 million contract he signed with the 49ers last offseason; however, a potential trade that would create over $7.82 million in savings, per Spotrac, might be too enticing to ignore.
After beginning the 2024 campaign sidelined due to injury, it didn't take Gross-Matos long to turn heads. The former 2020 second-rounder by the Carolina Panthers finished his fifth NFL season with 14 solo tackles and 4.0 sacks in 11 appearances. Still, that performance was good enough to avoid underwhelming Pro Football Focus grades regarding run stoppage (46.6) and overall defense (51.5).
Despite the mixed-bag performance, 49ers fans were hopeful that Gross-Matos could handle starting on the outside opposite Nick Bosa next season. At least, that was the case until San Francisco used April's 11th overall pick on Georgia's Mykel Williams, who just racked up 14.0 sacks in the last three seasons with the Bulldogs.
With Bosa and Williams having the potential to be the NFL's top pass-rushing duo next season and beyond, it's safe to say Gross-Matos' outlook isn't great. His $9.47 million cap hit is a lot for a backup player, and the 49ers could choose to cut ties and use any freed-up savings elsewhere if his contract is too rich when considering his role.
With NFL teams liking to know what they have to work with before training camp, 49ers fans should brace for the potential of Gross-Matos being traded before the middle of July.