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Once the season ends – possibly 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 is eligible for his first contract extension, which could vault 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 highest-paid player in the league, even though the team has underperformed this season. According to Barnwell, the quarterback market leaves San Francisco with few alternatives when it comes to acquiring the soon-to-be 25-year-old long-term.

“Yes, the 49ers could take the bold stance and trust that they can find the next Purdy on day three of the draft, give the quarterback significant draft capital, and use the picks and cost savings to spend big across the roster,” Barnwell wrote in a feature for ESPN. “Nothing about his play or the organization’s public comments suggests this is likely to happen.”

“If the 49ers pay the going rate for a franchise quarterback next year, they will surpass the deal Dak Prescott just signed with the Cowboys, which is over $60 million per season. I suggested a Purdy deal would be struck over the summer for five years and $325 million, or $65 million per year. That’s still the number he and his agents are likely aiming for.

The 49ers have tough decisions ahead of them

Such a lucrative quarterback deal would undoubtedly impact the 49ers’ salary cap flexibility and potentially force the team to part ways with several high-profile veterans. Barnwell emphasizes that the recent restructuring of defensive tackle Javon Hargrave’s contract could indicate his departure.

“The move signals that Hargrave will likely be one of the two players they will designate as released after June 1 for cap purposes,” Barnwell noted.

The other player Barnwell mentioned is wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who could also end up on the chopping block. Samuel, who at 29 is entering the final year of his current contract, has recently attracted attention after taking to social media to express his frustration at his lack of opportunities. He has contributed just 97 total scrimmage yards over the last four games.

Barnwell suggests that releasing Hargrave and Samuel would free up cap space while also allowing the team to retain younger core players. Additionally, he points to the possibility of restructuring Fred Warner’s contract to create short-term flexibility, emphasizing that the linebacker is “not going anywhere.”

A possible reunion with Robert Saleh?

Barnwell also has an interesting idea for head coach Kyle Shanahan – bringing Robert Saleh back as defensive coordinator.

“Saleh has failed to get the job done as coach of the Jets, but there is no denying the work he has done on the defensive side of the ball,” Barnwell wrote. “He took over one of the worst defenses in the league and built the Jets into a dominant unit in two years. Since his dismissal they have also fallen apart in defense, suggesting he has played a key role in planning and adjusting the game on a weekly basis.”