On Tuesday, NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger was interviewed on 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and he shared some interesting insights about the future of the 49ers’ quarterback situation, particularly with Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold.
Q: What are you seeing from Brock Purdy?
BALDINGER: “Jed York and John Lynch have a massive decision to make. Right now, your star quarterbacks are getting paid anywhere from $55 million to $60 million per season. That’s a huge financial commitment, and it will have a ripple effect on the roster. You’re going to be limited in what you can do, and that’s a major factor in the 49ers’ future. They need to make the right call. If they end up sticking with the wrong guy and he’s a declining player— which it kind of looks like Purdy may be right now—then the 49ers could be in a long-term slump. The other day, Purdy couldn’t complete a pass down the field at all. In a game where they needed one play to win and keep their playoff hopes alive, they couldn’t make it. That’s on the quarterback. He had Ricky Pearsall on a post route. If he just puts the ball in front of him, Pearsall walks into the end zone. That’s a critical missed opportunity.”
Q: What should the 49ers do if Purdy wants to be one of the five highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL?
BALDINGER: “I’d flip him for Sam Darnold. Let’s think about Sam for a second. He sat as a backup all year and learned how a first-class franchise operates. For the first time in his career, he saw what it’s like to play for a well-run organization with a solid game plan. Now, he’s with Kevin O’Connell, an elite playcaller, and a high-powered offense, and he’s flourishing. Minnesota doesn’t have to commit anything to him right now—they’ve got a quarterback they drafted, so they don’t need to offer him top-tier money. Or they could trade him. I’d be talking to Minnesota to see what it would take to bring Sam Darnold back to San Francisco. He’s bigger and stronger than Purdy. Or, maybe you play both of them and have a competition. I’d be really curious to see what it would take to get Sam Darnold.”
MY TAKE: I couldn’t agree more with Baldinger. Right now, Brock Purdy seems to be on a downward trajectory, while Sam Darnold is clearly on the upswing. Darnold has had the chance to learn and grow in a more structured environment, and he’s showing positive results with the Minnesota offense. Additionally, Darnold would likely be much cheaper than Purdy, which would allow the 49ers to allocate more resources to strengthen other parts of their roster. It’s a no-brainer. The 49ers need to consider a change at quarterback, and Darnold could very well be the answer moving forward.
With the pressure mounting on the 49ers’ front office to make the right decision, the team will have to weigh the long-term impact of their quarterback choice carefully. In a situation where financial constraints are looming, finding a more cost-effective and possibly more dynamic option like Darnold could be the key to keeping the team competitive in the coming years.
