Official 49ers Booster Club
Just after the 2013 regular season ended, clubs started signing futures contracts like crazy, whether they were practicing for the playoffs or taking part in their local golf league.
It's the same as a regular active-roster contract, with the regular rules for minimum veteran salaries, cap charges, signing bonuses, etc. The only difference is that it doesn't take effect until the start of the next League Year Teams can sign players to futures contracts as soon as the previous regular season is over, but the contract won't count against the salary cap or 53-man limit. Instead, it'll count against the salary cap and 90-man camp limit of the following season.