The 49ers have excelled at overcoming difficult on-field obstacles in recent years because of the massive level of talent they have amassed.

But having such talent obviously comes at a cost, and means the 49ers will have little. room for maneuver during the 2023 season.

Having set their 53-man roster and practice squad this week, the Niners' salary cap picture is clear, and it's not a situation that will allow them to make many in-season moves.

Per Spotrac, the 49ers have just $4.46 million in cap space, that amount putting them 25th in the NFL.

It is not a new problem for the Niners, who in recent years have entered seasons close to the limit, an occupational hazard of having a roster as stacked as theirs.

San Francisco pushed more chips into the middle of the table last season with the trade for Christian McCaffrey, the NFL's highest-paid running back, and this offseason handed defensive tackle Javon Hargrave a four-year, $84 million contract in free agency.

Eventually, the bill for having so many big earners will come due and the Niners may see some of the star names on the roster depart.

For now, though, the solution to the 49ers' salary cap squeeze is for them to achieve their primary offseason aim, and come to terms on a record-setting contract extension for Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa.

Bosa's potentially historic deal might make it harder for the Niners to pay other players down the line, but for now it would fulfil two ambitions of getting their best defensive player back on the field in time for Week 1 and, by kicking money into future years, giving San Francisco more capacity for win-now moves during the regular season.

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Much-needed insurance for San Francisco.

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