The San Francisco 49ers Face Financial Reality as Brock Purdy’s Extension Looms

After a few seasons of relatively easy payroll management, the San Francisco 49ers are about to face a financial reckoning. With Brock Purdy, the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, emerging as their starting quarterback and a legitimate MVP contender, the team now has to navigate the complexities of paying him what he’s worth. As Purdy is set for a massive extension, other key players have already been moved on or let go, signaling the start of a new financial chapter for the 49ers.

A Changing Financial Landscape for the 49ers

For the past few seasons, the 49ers had the luxury of having a quarterback on a rookie contract—a massive advantage for any team. Purdy’s relatively low salary of $2.8 million since entering the NFL allowed San Francisco to load up on talent across the roster. However, with Purdy’s emergence as a legitimate star, that all changes. The 49ers now find themselves in a situation where they need to make tough financial decisions to accommodate a quarterback who could soon command upwards of $50 million per year in new money.

The 49ers have already seen a significant amount of talent leave in the offseason. Players like Deebo Samuel, Charvarius Ward, Aaron Banks, Dre Greenlaw, and Talanoa Hufanga have all left via trades or free agency. While it’s easy to point to the fact that these players weren’t re-signed because of financial constraints, the bigger picture is that the 49ers must prioritize paying their franchise quarterback.

Jed York Addresses Criticism Over Free Agency Activity

49ers owner Jed York was quick to address the criticism the team received for its relatively quiet offseason during the NFL’s annual meetings. When questioned about accusations of being “cheap,” York responded candidly, acknowledging the frustrations of fans who want to see the team make big moves, especially early in free agency.

“I’ve been called worse,” York said, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. “I get it. Fans care. You want to win. And when you’re in a world where everybody is watching the NFL the first week of free agency or at least the first few days of free agency, it’s a frenzy. When you’re not overly active in that space, it gets easy to say, ‘Oh, you don’t want to win.'”

York defended the team’s approach, explaining that the front office had made strategic decisions about where to allocate their resources. “As we looked at the board, we didn’t see someone who would make a bigger impact than paying Brock,” he said. With the looming cost of Purdy’s extension, it’s clear that the 49ers are now making moves with a long-term vision in mind.

Brock Purdy’s Stellar Rise and the Pending Extension

Brock Purdy’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. Once considered a long shot, Purdy not only became the 49ers’ starting quarterback but also led them to two NFC Championship games, including a Super Bowl appearance. His performance in the 2023 season earned him a spot in the MVP conversation, finishing fourth in voting—a remarkable achievement for someone who was picked last in the draft.

Now, Purdy is due for an extension, and it’s going to be a significant one. With quarterbacks like Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence recently signing massive deals, it’s clear that Purdy’s new contract could easily surpass $50 million per year. As a result, the 49ers have to make tough decisions about where to allocate their cap space in the coming years.

Kyle Shanahan Addresses Potential Holdout

While an extension hasn’t been finalized yet, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the possibility of Purdy holding out if a deal doesn’t materialize before the 2025 season.

“I know Brock doesn’t want to do that. We don’t want to do that. I mean, no one wants to do that,” Shanahan said during the NFL’s annual meetings. “But these are negotiations that go on between agents and our organization, and it’s over a lot of money and stuff.”

While a holdout is still a long way off, the situation is a delicate one. The 49ers must balance securing their future with Purdy while also managing the team’s other financial commitments. This balancing act is only going to get harder as more high-profile players come due for extensions.

The 49ers’ Financial Math Just Got Tougher

After three seasons of having their quarterback on a rookie deal, the 49ers are entering a new phase where their financial flexibility is dramatically reduced. The salary cap math is no longer as simple as it was when Purdy was earning a minimal salary. As the team works to secure his long-term future, they’ll need to carefully consider how to allocate funds to ensure they can continue building a championship-caliber team.

The 49ers will need to be strategic in how they approach roster construction moving forward. They’ve already made some tough decisions in free agency, and it’s likely that more cuts and trades will be needed to keep the roster balanced. The departure of key players might hurt in the short term, but the hope is that a well-constructed, balanced team with Purdy at the helm can still contend for championships in the years to come.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the 49ers?

As the 2025 season approaches, the 49ers are in a bit of a financial tight spot. Purdy’s impending extension means that the team will have to make calculated decisions in the coming months. There’s no doubt that San Francisco will continue to build around their quarterback, but that will mean shedding some excess weight from the roster and focusing on key areas of need.

The 49ers have shown that they can win with Purdy at the helm, and as they move into the next phase of his career, they will need to balance the business side of the game with the desire to remain competitive. With the right moves, San Francisco could continue to be a contender for years to come—but the financial math just got a lot harder.