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Much to the delight of their fans, the Los Angeles Rams struck deals with both Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp this week. It ensures that they\u2019ll be in the mix for the next couple of years (at least) as the Rams try to win another championship with their Super Bowl window wide open.<\/p>\n
As excited as the Rams are about extending their two biggest stars, the 49ers probably aren\u2019t thrilled about the news \u2013 for multiple reasons.<\/p>\n
Not only do the 49ers have to face Donald and Kupp twice a year for the next two-plus seasons, but the cost of signing two of their own cornerstones just went up. You may have heard that both Deebo Samuel and Nick Bosa are candidates to sign extensions, and while things haven\u2019t boiled over just yet, the 49ers would be wise to extend their deals sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n
Bosa and Samuel both reported to mandatory minicamp this week, a positive development for San Francisco. But with Bosa\u2019s contract expiring after the 2023 season and Samuel becoming a free agent next offseason, the 49ers will need to extend their stars soon.<\/p>\n
Being the valuable offensive playmaker that he is, Samuel is absolutely looking at Kupp\u2019s deal as a starting point for his eventual contract \u2013 especially with his desire to play more wide receiver than running back. Kupp got $80 million over three years, but more importantly, his deal comes with $75 million guaranteed \u2013 the highest ever for a wide receiver.<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t think Samuel will want as much, if not more guaranteed money than Kupp got? Of course he will, and with the way the wide receiver market has been trending \u2013 11 players are now making at least $20 million per year \u2013\u00a0he could eclipse Kupp\u2019s contract, being a younger player, too.<\/p>\n
And as for Bosa, he\u2019s going to command a massive deal. He doesn\u2019t play the same position as Donald, but he is also a defensive centerpiece for San Francisco and is unquestionably one of the top edge rushers in football.<\/p>\n
T.J. Watt is the highest-paid edge rusher at $28 million per year, and Donald makes $3.67 million more than him annually. So for Bosa, he\u2019s going to not only look at Watt\u2019s deal, but also Donald\u2019s as the floor for his next contract.<\/p>\n