Once the season concludes—potentially as early as January if the San Francisco 49ers don't keep winning—the team will face a critical decision regarding quarterback Brock Purdy. The third-year signal-caller will be eligible for his first contract extension, which could elevate him into the ranks of the NFL's highest-paid players.

ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell believes the 49ers will have little choice but to make Purdy the league's highest-paid player, even though the team has underperformed this season. According to Barnwell, the quarterback market leaves San Francisco few alternatives if they aim to secure the soon-to-be 25-year-old for the long term.

"Yes, the 49ers could take the bold stance of trusting they'll find the next Purdy on Day 3 of the draft, deal the quarterback for significant draft capital and use the picks and the cost savings to spend heavily throughout the roster," Barnwell wrote in a feature for ESPN. "Nothing about his play or the organization's public comments suggest that's likely to happen.

"If the 49ers pay the going rate for a franchise quarterback next year, they're topping the deal Dak Prescott just inked with the Cowboys, which is north of $60 million per season. I suggested over the summer a Purdy deal would come in at five years and $325 million, or $65 million per year. That's still the number he and his agents are likely targeting."


Tough decisions ahead for the 49ers


Such a lucrative quarterback deal would undoubtedly impact the 49ers' salary-cap flexibility, potentially forcing the team to part ways with several high-profile veterans. Barnwell highlights that the recent restructuring of defensive tackle Javon Hargrave's contract could point toward his departure.

"The move signals that Hargrave likely will be one of the two players they will designate as post-June 1 releases for cap purposes," Barnwell noted.

The other player Barnwell mentions is wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who could also find himself on the chopping block. Samuel, who will be 29 entering the final year of his current deal, has drawn attention recently after airing frustrations on social media about his lack of opportunities. Over the past four games, he has contributed just 97 total scrimmage yards.

Barnwell suggests that releasing Hargrave and Samuel would free up cap space while allowing the team to maintain younger, core players. Additionally, he notes the possibility of restructuring Fred Warner's contract to create short-term flexibility, emphasizing that the linebacker "isn't going anywhere."

A potential reunion with Robert Saleh?


Barnwell also floats an intriguing idea for head coach Kyle Shanahan—bringing back Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator.


"Saleh wasn't able to make it work as the Jets' coach, but there's no arguing with the work he did on the defensive side of the ball," Barnwell wrote. "Taking over one of the league's worst defenses, he built the Jets into a dominant unit in two years. They have also fallen apart on defense since he was fired, suggesting he played a key role in helping game plan and adjust on a weekly basis."

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