The Financial Landscape for the San Francisco 49ers: Navigating Brock Purdy’s Contract Extension

The San Francisco 49ers find themselves in a favorable financial position heading into the 2025 season, offering them significant flexibility as they consider the potential extension of quarterback Brock Purdy’s contract. While the 49ers’ salary cap situation is projected to be robust—estimated at $63.5 million in available space, according to Over The Cap—they aren’t necessarily facing a crunch that demands major moves to accommodate Purdy’s extension. However, financial strategy could still drive the team to make some tough decisions, including possibly moving on from key veterans to create even more space for future flexibility.

Brock Purdy’s Contract Extension: No Immediate Panic Required

The 49ers are in a better position than many might think to handle the financial implications of Brock Purdy’s impending contract extension. The team’s strong cap space for 2025 means that they likely don’t need to trade away important players or restructure existing contracts to make room for Purdy’s new deal. The quarterback has shown promise, and his development into a reliable starter could lead to a significant payday. Nevertheless, this won’t be a situation where the 49ers can rest entirely easy. They may still need to make some difficult choices to free up additional cap space, and veteran players could become casualties of these decisions.

Deebo Samuel: A Potential Cap Casualty?

One player who has long been the subject of trade rumors is wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Samuel, a dynamic playmaker and one of the most versatile offensive weapons in the NFL, could potentially be moved if the 49ers feel the need to free up more cap space for Purdy’s contract. During last year’s draft, the 49ers fielded calls about trades involving Samuel, which indicates that the team has at least considered moving on from the star wide receiver. If the team is indeed looking to part ways with Samuel, it’s possible that the wideout has already played his final game for the 49ers, especially as he’s currently dealing with rib and wrist injuries. Samuel was notably absent from practice ahead of the team’s season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, leaving fans to wonder about his future with the team.

Injuries Plague the 49ers as They Approach the Season Finale

In addition to Samuel’s injury concerns, the 49ers have been dealing with a series of other injury setbacks that are affecting their roster depth. A total of 10 players did not participate in practice on Thursday, adding to the growing list of health concerns that have plagued the team toward the end of the season. Among the notable absentees was defensive end Nick Bosa, who is dealing with a knee injury. Bosa was also named to the Pro Bowl Games, but his status for the season finale is uncertain as he continues to manage his injury.

Pro Bowl Alternates and Other Key Injuries

The 49ers’ injury report includes several other key players who are also struggling with injuries as they head into the final stretch of the season. Pro Bowl alternates Leonard Floyd and Deommodore Lenoir were both sidelined for the second consecutive day due to shoulder injuries. Safety Ji’Ayir Brown was also absent from practice, reportedly dealing with an ankle injury that could potentially sideline him for the season finale. However, Brown’s status is still uncertain, as he had participated in a limited capacity earlier in the week.

Positive News: George Kittle Returns to Practice

There is a silver lining amid the injury concerns, as tight end George Kittle made his return to practice after being listed as a non-participant on Wednesday. Kittle has been battling ankle and hamstring issues but is expected to be ready for the season finale. As one of the 49ers’ key players and a Pro Bowler for 2024, Kittle’s return to practice is a major boost for the team. His ability to create mismatches as a receiver and serve as a key blocker will be crucial for the 49ers’ offensive game plan in the season’s final game.

Ricky Pearsall: A Rising Star Facing Setbacks

Rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who made a splash with a breakout performance against the Detroit Lions, was again limited in practice due to illness and chest issues. Despite this setback, Pearsall’s showing against the Lions was a bright spot in the 49ers’ season, and his development could be key for the team moving forward. If he is able to suit up for the season finale, Pearsall could provide much-needed depth and spark to the 49ers’ receiving corps.

Quarterback Josh Dobbs: Stepping Up Amid Injuries

With Brock Purdy sidelined due to injury, quarterback Joshua Dobbs is expected to start in the season finale against the Arizona Cardinals. Dobbs has proven capable in spot starts throughout his career, and now he will have the opportunity to lead the 49ers in a critical game. However, Dobbs may be without some of his key offensive linemen, including starting right tackle Colton McKivitz, who is dealing with a knee injury and missed his second consecutive practice. The absence of McKivitz would make Dobbs’ job even more challenging, but he will need to rely on his experience to keep the offense on track.

Looking Ahead: The 49ers’ Final Stretch and Beyond

As the 49ers approach their season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, the focus will be on getting healthy and preparing for the postseason. Despite the injury concerns and the potential changes in the roster for the future, the team’s strong financial position for 2025 gives them the flexibility to make the moves necessary to maintain their competitive edge. Whether or not Deebo Samuel’s future with the team is in jeopardy, the 49ers will continue to navigate their salary cap and roster moves to ensure that they remain a dominant force in the NFC for years to come.

The 49ers’ offseason plans, including Brock Purdy’s contract extension, will be a storyline to watch in the coming months, but for now, the team must focus on finishing the season strong and preparing for the challenges of the postseason. With key players like George Kittle and Ricky Pearsall returning to practice, and others battling through injuries, the 49ers will need to rely on their depth and resilience to make a deep playoff run.