Back in 2022, when two day-three San Francisco 49ers draftees were trying to cut their teeth at the NFL level, quarterback Brock Purdy and offensive lineman Nick Zakelj opted to split the costs of living together and became roommates.
Totally understandable, given the prices in the Bay Area.
Of course, Purdy went from being the final pick of that year's NFL Draft to one of the highest-paid players in the league within a few years, while Zakelj merely kept hanging around on the Niners roster year after year.
Well, until now, that is.
With the Fordham alumnus' tenure on San Francisco's roster hanging by a thread entering year four, the 49ers ultimately opted to part ways with Zakelj, making him part of their final wave of roster cuts ahead of Week 1, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner:
#49ers waived OL Nick Zakelj, per source.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) August 26, 2025
It shouldn't be too big a surprise. Ever since he was selected in Round 6 of the 2022 draft, Zakelj was seen as a project. The Niners tried him out at tackle, experimented with him as a backup center and gave him a shot to serve as a reserve guard.
Over 26 games played, only two of them starts, it was pretty clear Zakelj was going to remain on the fringes no matter what. Then, following a less-than-impressive tenure during training camp and into the preseason, followed by the ascent of undrafted rookie Drew Moss, the proverbial writing on the wall was clear.
Zakelj was to be dismissed.
Granted, San Francisco doesn't have to close the door on the 6-foot-6 and 316-pound lineman entirely. With all the juggling that typically accompanies roster cut-down day and the immediate aftermath, it's possible Zakelj returns in some capacity or another. Perhaps signing him to the practice squad is in the 49ers' plans, should the lineman clear waivers.
Until that point, though, Zakelj's tenure has come to an unceremonious end.
And, just like many of the roommates fans had over the years, one can wonder if he and Purdy will either stay close or drift apart.
Hopefully, it's the former in that regard.