The San Francisco 49ers’ season may have ended in disappointment, but the spotlight is already shifting to their young quarterback Brock Purdy and his future with the franchise. As a 2022 draft pick entering his fourth year, Purdy is now eligible for a lucrative contract extension that could reset the market for NFL signal callers. The question on everyone’s mind: When could a deal materialize and just how much might Purdy command?
The Case for an Early Extension
Both Purdy and the 49ers have incentive to hammer out an agreement sooner rather than later. For the ascending QB, locking in generational wealth provides immediate peace of mind and reinforces the organization’s long-term belief in him as their franchise cornerstone. San Francisco, meanwhile, would gain cost certainty on their most expensive roster slot, crucial for navigating the salary cap and constructing a title contender around their star.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan wasted no time throwing his support behind an extension, declaring Purdy “the leader of our team” and expressing his desire to coach him for the duration of his tenure. General manager John Lynch echoed that sentiment, affirming “Brock is our guy” and the team’s interest in keeping him in the Bay Area for the long haul. The foundational pieces appear in place for an expedited negotiation.
Hurdles to Clear
Of course, inking a deal of this magnitude is rarely a straightforward process. The looming question is whether Purdy will push to match or exceed the $60 million per year threshold established by Dak Prescott and the Cowboys last September. When posed that query directly, the 49ers’ young star was non-committal, emphasizing his desire to win but acknowledging the business realities at play.
“I want to win for this organization and everybody here, and I’m not the kind of guy that wants to have any kind of drama associated with anything, � Purdy explained. “Obviously, I want to help the team across the board with all the other guys who need to get their deals done but everybody will handle it the right way and how they need to. Like I said, it’s a business, but everybody has their turn and their part with all of it.”
Contractual Comparisons
If Purdy is willing to take a more team-friendly approach to keep San Francisco’s established core intact, there are some instructive contract analogs from the 2024 offseason. Rising stars Jared Goff and Tua Tagovailoa, who posted stellar numbers bolstered by strong supporting casts, inked extensions that approached but didn’t quite reach the very top of the market.
- Goff: 4 years, $212M ($53M AAV), $113.6M fully guaranteed
- Tagovailoa: 4 years, $212.4M ($53.1M AAV), $93.17M fully guaranteed
Given Purdy’s production through three seasons – top 5 in QBR, passing yards, and TDs since taking over as the starter – coupled with his postseason success, an agreement in that financial ballpark with a higher guarantee would be a fitting target. The 49ers’ Super Bowl window remains wide open, and Purdy will be the centerpiece of their title pursuits for years to come.
Charting the Path Forward
The upcoming weeks and months will chart the course of the 49ers franchise and determine if their Purdy-led renaissance endures. With player, team, and coach all seemingly on the same page, the foundation is laid for an extension that rewards their quarterback of the present and future while still allowing flexibility to strengthen the roster. When pen meets paper is the multi-million dollar question, but an imminent, mutually beneficial resolution appears well within reach.
“I know that I’m the guy for this organization. And that I can do what it takes to help lead us where we want to go and I’m confident in that.”
– Brock Purdy on his future with the 49ers
