The Super Bowl Matchup, Financially

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertFebruary 08, 2024
© USA TODAY Sports

The Super Bowl matchup pairs two teams that have gone down very different financial paths to get here. Our dive into how the 2023 money was allocated for the Kansas City Chiefs & San Francisco 49ers, plus notable players on each eyeing a payday in the coming weeks.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Betting against Patrick Mahomes in January is not a recommended strategy, as the 28-year-old reminded us over the past month. At $236M, KC held the 21st highest cash payroll in 2023, benefiting from a cheaper arsenal of weapons, and a few notable defensive players still on rookie contracts this past season. A huge portion of their offseason money was allocated to RT Jawaan Taylor ($60M guaranteed), & DE Charles Omenihu ($8.6M guaranteed), while the quick development of 2nd round pick WR Rashee Rice certainly factored in down the stretch.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

If you can find a 7th round starting QB who costs you $2.6M over a 3-year span, I highly recommend it. The Niners get (at least) 1 more season of ultimate value out of Brock Purdy, who used some of that extra dough to bring in Javon Hargrave ($40M guaranteed), & extend Nick Bosa ($122.5M guaranteed). San Francisco held the 6th highest cash payroll in the league this past season, paying out over $266M in total. Unlike in 2023, the 49ers currently hold all of their Top 100 draft picks, hoping to find their next wave of financial value as they continue their window of NFC contention.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP FINANCIALS

Detailing the combined average salary allocations for the projected Super Bowl starting lineups, broken down by Offense, Defense, & Special Teams.

2023 CASH SPENDING COMPARISON

A look at how KC & SF allocated their cash spending this past season, including where each positional figure ranks throughout the NFL.

Team QB RB/FB WR TE OL DL LB DB S/T TOTAL
Chiefs $60M $4.4M $18.8M $15.2M $48.2M $46.3M $8M $22.3M $7.5M $231M
2nd 28th 20th 11th 11th 12th 31st 5th 8th 16th
49ers $8M $19.1M $17.8M $17.1M $35.9 $98.5 $26M $28.7 $4.4M $255M
29th 3rd 24th 6th 23rd 1st 17th 24th 23rd 5th

EYEING A 2024 PAY DAY

After an unsuccessful holdout, Chiefs DT Chris Jones’ contract will once again come into focus this winter. Will the two sides come to a compromising multi-year agreement this time around? Jones’ projects toward a 3 year, $85M contract in our system.

Chiefs CB L'Jarius Sneed remains one of the best kept secrets in all of football, making big plays in big moments every single week. He’s the #2 CB in KC behind Trent McDuffie, but will certainly be seeking near CB1 money on the open market this winter. He projects toward a 4 year, $64M contract in our system.

Chiefs S Justin Reid isn’t the most decorated DB in the league, but he’s solidified a good, young secondary in KC for two seasons. Tacking on 3 new years to his 2024 season at around $9M-$10M per year makes sense.

Heading toward a fully guaranteed $14.1M 5th-year-option season, 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk remains the 4th option in this Niners offense, but he’s excelled in this offense over the past two seasons. Can San Francisco justify another $20M+ weapon on this team? Aiyuk projects toward a 4 year, $92M extension in our system.

49ers CB Charvarius Ward has more than outplayed the $27.5M earned over the past two seasons. With a cap hit that spikes to near $18M next year, tacking on additional years to lower the 2024 figure makes sense for all parties here. Ward projects toward a 4 year, $50M extension in our system.

The Niner acquired DE Chase Young from Washington at the deadline, providing ample depth to a DL that is loaded with big names. His 7.5 sacks in 2023 tied a career-high, puting him in decent shape as he nears the open market for the first time. He projects toward a 1 year, $13M incentive-laden deal in our system.

49ers OL Jon Feliciano is more of a part-time role player at this stage of his career, but his presence in depth & starting spots has dramatically improved the consistency of San Fran’s OL this past season. Bringing him back on a slightly north of minimum deal (1 year, $4M?) should be attractive for all here.

2024 CAP OUTLOOK

KC rolls into the offseason with around $23M of Top 51 cap space under their belt, with only 41 players currently under contract. Cap conversions on Patrick Mahomes, Joe Thuney, & Jawaan Taylor can open up over $54M more. 

The Niners will hit the offseason with almost no cap space to operate with initially, but they have plenty of avenues to generate room as needed. Cap conversions for core players McCaffrey, Juszczyk, Samuel, Kittle, Williams, Armstread, Hargrave, & Warner can open up over $87M of cap space this coming March.

Related:
Chiefs Offseason Analysis
49ers Offseason Analysis


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