Barnwell suggests how 49ers could use Eagles’ model to pay stars originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The 49ers face the difficult task of paying all of their star players to receive lucrative contracts, but could another NFC rival’s model be something San Francisco emulates to retain its top-line talent? ESPN’s Bill Barnwell thinks so.
During an appearance on “NFL Live,” Barnwell suggested the 49ers could follow a similar path to the philadelphia eagleswho will pay a record cost for their offensive players during the 2024 NFL season.
“You know, on the one hand, it’s tough. But I look around the league and there’s one team that’s done it, and it’s the Philadelphia Eagles,” Barnwell explained. “They’re spending $213 million in cash on their offense this year, the most of any team in National Football League history. But think about all the players they’ve afforded on the offensive side of the roster.
“(Quarterback) Jalen Hurts makes a market deal. (Running back) Saquon Barkley. Two star receivers in AJ Brown and Devonta Smith. (Tight end) Dallas Goedert. (Left tackle) Jordan Mailata. (Right tackle) Lane Johnson. (Center) Landon Dickerson They’re playing the ‘Hey, you can have your cake and eat it too’ scenario on offense.
Barnwell went on to explain that the 49ers face a different obstacle due to the draft capital they parted with in March 2021 trade for the No. 3 overall pick that San Francisco used in Quarterback Trey Lanceciting that there is still a path to retain their reserve of offensive stars.
“I think you have to draft very well and that could be a problem because the (49ers) don’t have those three first-round picks from the Trey Lance trade on their roster. But I do think that if they are really committed to keeping this offense together ( you may have to sacrifice other places) but you can make it work.
San Francisco possesses arguably the most talent-rich group of offensive skill players in the NFL, with wide receiver Deebo Samuel, tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey among the group of first-team All-Pro weapons under contract with the 49ers until at least 2025.
However, quarterback Brock Purdy and Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk both are expected receive substantial contracts in the near future, which could force San Francisco to get creative with the financial logistics to keep its star-studded cast together.
While the long-term outlook remains uncertain, the 49ers are focused on maximizing their window with all of their players during the 2024 season, looking to achieve the franchise’s sixth Vince Lombardi Trophy that has eluded the franchise for nearly three decades.
