The Facts: Sanders, a pending free agent, said Monday he’s yet to engage in contract talks with the 49ers, which suggests the team will let him test the open market next week.

Diehards Line: Sanders, 32, took to Twitter to refute a report that the 49ers gave him a lowball contract offer. The 49ers have exclusive rights to negotiate with Sanders before free agency’s legal-tampering period starts March 16. According to Chronicle staffer Eric Branch, the lack of negotiations isn’t a surprise given the 49ers’ salary cap crunch. They are estimated to have about $13 million in cap space and have bigger priorities than signing Sanders: They are expected to sign tight end George Kittle and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to lucrative contract extensions and they also want to retain defensive lineman Arik Armstead. ... We'll be watching for more.