The 49ers have a pressing financial issue this offseason with wideout Brandon Aiyuk. But at this point next year, quarterback Brock Purdy will be eligible for a new contract. The latter will likely be looking for a significant raise given the nature of his first two years in the NFL.
Purdy filled in for injured Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo during the 2022 season and helped lead the team to the NFC title game. Despite suffering a serious elbow injury during this tournament, the former “Mr. Martin” and “Irrelevant” entered the 2023 season as San Francisco’s undisputed starter. His play for most of the year didn’t change that.
The 24-year-old Purdy continued his stellar success as a rookie, leading the NFL in passer rating (113), earning a Pro Bowl nomination, and finishing fourth in MVP voting, solidifying his status as a franchise quarterback. The percentage of players meeting these criteria has skyrocketed in recent years, and his 49ers CEO Jed York is well aware of that. “When we signed Jimmy a few years ago, it was the biggest contract in NFL history at three minutes,” York said, via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News. “But Jimmy had [$27.5 million a year]. This is the market and you have to accept the reality of the world. To me, the quarterback is the most important position not only in football but in all sports. And they should be making a lot of money.”
Four quarterbacks are hitting the $50 million mark per year on average (all rising passers agreed to monster contract extensions last season). Players like Trevor Lawrence and Dak Prescott could also reach that goal, and a trade for either would add to the favorable environment the QB spot currently finds itself in. Purdy, who has two years left on his rookie contract and is due a $985,000 contract in 2024, will have significant bargaining power next offseason if he can remain a mainstay in San Francisco’s offense. It will be. But the unit’s other top players (Aiyuk, fellow receiver Deebo Samuel, left tackle Trent Williams, running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle) are already on the roster for at least one more season. Names are listed. Aiyuk plans to join other countries in pledging funding in 2025, if an extension can be achieved. Once the Purdy expansion is complete, San Francisco’s cap situation will change dramatically, but York’s comments convey the realization that it will be a very expensive endeavor long before that happens. .
