Trading for Purdy, Paying Him $55 Million Per Season and Expecting Him to Win Games Would Be Foolish. I’m Not Surprised He Has No Trade Market…

In the world of the NFL, trades and player contracts are always a hot topic of discussion, but when it comes to Brock Purdy, the situation has left many scratching their heads. Recently, there has been considerable buzz surrounding the potential for Purdy to be traded, with some even suggesting that he could command a $55 million per season contract. However, expecting him to be the key to a franchise’s success at that price point would be, frankly, foolish. And, as it turns out, the lack of a market for his services comes as no surprise.

Purdy’s rise to prominence with the San Francisco 49ers in the 2022 season was undeniably impressive, as he stepped in as a backup quarterback and led the team to the NFC Championship game. But as the NFL has proven time and time again, a handful of good games does not necessarily translate into long-term success, and betting on Purdy to deliver a championship at the $55 million mark is a gamble few teams should be willing to take.

A Flash in the Pan or the Real Deal?

Brock Purdy’s story is certainly one of the most remarkable in recent NFL history. Drafted as Mr. Irrelevant— the final pick of the 2022 draft—Purdy was thrust into the starting quarterback role due to injuries to Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance. The young quarterback performed admirably, showing poise and efficiency in a system designed to make things easy for him. He was successful, but it’s essential to ask: Was this a case of a quarterback excelling in a system that worked for him, or is Purdy truly the future of a franchise?

While Purdy displayed composure and confidence, it’s important to remember that his success was also attributed to the incredible talent surrounding him in San Francisco. From a top-tier defense to one of the best offensive lines in the league, not to mention playmakers like Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey, Purdy was in an ideal position to succeed. His performance, while commendable, did not showcase the qualities needed to justify a $55 million contract—especially given the volatility and unpredictability of the quarterback position.

The $55 Million Question

The idea of paying Purdy $55 million per season—especially after just a handful of games as a starter—is, at best, a risky proposition. For context, this would put him in the realm of some of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league, such as Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, and Josh Allen. These players have consistently proven themselves as elite quarterbacks who can lead a team to the Super Bowl and sustain that level of play over multiple seasons.

Purdy, by contrast, has only shown flashes of potential and hasn’t yet faced the challenges that come with being the undisputed starting quarterback for an entire season. The financial commitment required to pay him $55 million would be a huge leap for any team, and expecting him to immediately win games week in and week out—especially under that kind of pressure—would set up both him and the franchise for disappointment.

Quarterback is the most important position in football, and paying a player that much money requires a proven track record. Purdy’s brief stint as a starter, while impressive, does not warrant such a high price tag. Any team that trades for him at that rate would be taking a huge gamble.

Lack of a Trade Market

It’s no surprise that there is no trade market for Purdy at this point. While he is a competent quarterback, his performance does not yet warrant the kind of financial commitment that would make him a highly sought-after player. Most teams interested in quarterbacks are looking for proven leaders with a history of success in the NFL, not someone with a handful of games under their belt.

Moreover, teams know that investing in a quarterback without significant experience and without a proven ability to perform in the postseason can be a recipe for failure. Even though Purdy was successful in his time as a starter for the 49ers, teams will likely hesitate to give up significant assets or sign him to a massive contract until he proves himself over the long term. Without that consistency, there’s a real risk that paying him $55 million per year would not be a wise investment.

The 49ers’ Position

For the 49ers, keeping Purdy as a backup quarterback or even as a potential starter with a more reasonable contract would make far more sense. After all, San Francisco has one of the most complete rosters in the NFL, and the team would benefit more from using their resources to strengthen other positions rather than locking in such a high salary for a quarterback with so much uncertainty.

Given the quarterback depth on the 49ers roster, including Trey Lance, it’s clear that the team is in no rush to hand over the keys to the offense to Purdy at such a hefty price tag. If anything, the 49ers are in a position to sit back, evaluate his long-term potential, and ensure that they aren’t making a rushed decision based on a few good performances.

Conclusion

In the end, paying Brock Purdy $55 million per year and expecting him to lead a franchise to Super Bowl glory would be a misguided decision. While his story is inspirational and his potential has been demonstrated, he simply hasn’t done enough to justify such a monumental commitment. The lack of a trade market for Purdy is a clear reflection of the reality that teams understand the risks involved with his relatively limited track record.

For now, it’s clear that Purdy should remain a valuable asset for the 49ers, but any thoughts of him being the face of a franchise at $55 million per year should be put on hold. Time will tell if Purdy can develop into a true franchise quarterback, but for now, it would be unwise for any team to invest in him at such a high price, and the lack of a trade market proves this point loud and clear.