Barnwell suggests how the 49ers could use the Eagles model to pay stars

Barnwell suggests how the 49ers could use the Eagles model to pay stars originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area

The 49ers face the difficult task of paying all of their star players due to receiving lucrative contracts, but could another NFC rival’s model be something San Francisco emulates to retain its top-tier talent? ESPN’s Bill Barnwell believes so.

During an appearance on “NFL Live,” Barnwell suggested the 49ers could follow a similar path to the Philadelphia Eagleswhich will pay a record cost for its offensive players during the 2024 NFL season.

“You know, on the one hand, it’s difficult. But I look around the league and I see one team that has managed to do that, and that’s the Philadelphia Eagles,” Barnwell explained. “They are spending $213 million in cash on offense this year, the most for any team in National Football League history. But think about all the players they paid on the offensive side of the roster.

“[Quarterback] Jalen Hurts making 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 kind of playing ‘Hey, you can have your cake and eat it too on offense.’

Barnwell went on to explain that the 49ers face a different obstacle due to the capital project they parted ways with in March 2021 trading for the third overall pick that San Francisco used on quarterback Trey Lanceciting that there is still a way to maintain their supply of offensive stars.

“I think you have to write very well and that can be a problem because the [49ers] doesn’t have those three first-round picks from the Trey Lance trade on its roster. But I believe if they’re really committed to keeping this offense together – you might have to sacrifice other places – but you can make it work.

San Francisco boasts arguably the most talented 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 who are under contract with the 49ers through 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 of keeping its star-studded roster 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 as they look to capture the franchise’s sixth Vince Lombardi Trophy, which has eluded the franchise for nearly three decades.

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