San Francisco 49ers’ Offseason Focus: The Brock Purdy Contract Drama

As the San Francisco 49ers enter the offseason, the biggest point of discussion won’t be whether or not they should extend quarterback Brock Purdy — they absolutely should — but rather, what the details of that extension will look like. Purdy has quickly proven himself to be a force in the NFL, and his first year of eligibility for a contract extension is drawing significant attention. However, there’s one big question that looms over the organization: How high are the 49ers willing to go to lock down their quarterback for the long term?

Brock Purdy’s Case for a Major Payday

Purdy has earned a compelling case to become the highest-paid quarterback in the league as he enters his extension talks. Despite being the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy has managed to outperform many of his contemporaries, leading his team to victory and solidifying his place in the NFL spotlight. More importantly, he can point to the substantial savings he’s brought to the organization by playing on the cheapest contract among all players drafted in 2022. In essence, Purdy has helped the 49ers save a considerable amount of money by outperforming expectations while being on a rookie contract.

Moreover, let’s not forget that Purdy essentially bailed the 49ers out of the Trey Lance situation. When things looked bleak at quarterback, Purdy stepped up and led his team, making his value to the organization even more undeniable.

Given these accomplishments, it’s not out of the question to think Purdy’s new deal could reach upwards of $60 million per season. However, insiders within the organization have already hinted that the 49ers may not be willing to offer him a record-setting contract.

49ers Insiders Weigh In on Purdy’s Future Contract

Two prominent radio personalities from within the 49ers organization, Greg Papa and Tim Ryan, have weighed in on Purdy’s impending contract extension, providing some insight into what the organization may be thinking.

Tim Ryan, in particular, doesn’t see a record-setting contract for Purdy as an inevitable outcome. According to him, the focus isn’t going to be on rushing to get Purdy’s deal done with the highest possible figures in mind. Ryan shared his perspective:
“I don’t think starting today it’s all about ‘How do they get Brock done in the next five months, and is it going to be the richest contract in pro football for quarterbacks?’ My opinion is that is not going to be the first priority.”

Greg Papa, however, offered more direct thoughts on the situation. He suggested that if the 49ers can sign Purdy to a contract with a low 40s average annual value, that could be an attractive option. He also raised the possibility of a deal closer to the $50 million range, or even something similar to Dak Prescott’s contract, which is around the $60 million per season mark. However, Papa cautioned that the 49ers would need to consider the ramifications such a deal could have on their roster.
“If there’s a workable number they could get him signed to — in the low 40s average annual value — they may pursue that. But do you want to do one where the average annual value is in the 50s? Or maybe approaching Dak Prescott, and you’re in the 60s? Then you have to go through your roster… Who’s coming off the roster? What positions will be marginalized because the quarterback is making so much money?”

Speculation or Strategic Messaging?

It’s important to remember that both Greg Papa and Tim Ryan are key figures in the 49ers’ media presence, which means they could be serving as mouthpieces for the organization. This is not an uncommon practice in discussions about high-stakes contract negotiations.

In addition, Brock Purdy has made it clear he does not want these negotiations to drag on like the extended discussions the team had with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk heading into the 2024 season. Whether this was a sign of Purdy’s humility or a strategic “warning shot” to the 49ers about the urgency of a resolution remains up for debate. However, what is clear is that the stage is set for a complicated and potentially contentious negotiation over the future of the 49ers’ starting quarterback.

As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on how the 49ers balance their need to secure Purdy’s long-term future while managing the financial realities of their roster. Will they offer him a massive extension, or will they opt for a more conservative approach? Either way, it’s clear that Brock Purdy’s contract will be one of the most intriguing storylines of this offseason.