No news on the Brock Purdy contract isn’t necessarily good news for the San Francisco 49ers. However, even a small amount of positive news is a big deal in what could be a tricky negotiation.

Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz on Wednesday reported the 49ers and Purdy are in active contract negotiations with both sides motivated to work out a deal.

“While sources don’t believe a contract extension is imminent,” Schultz wrote, “FOX Sports has learned that both sides are actively negotiating with the intent to finalize a deal before the 2025 season.”

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This is important for a handful of reasons.

First, the 49ers were in contract talks with Purdy in February according to general manager John Lynch. That they’re still in contract discussions deep into March is a good sign that San Francisco is aiming to avoid a negotiation that lasts into August or September.

It’s also not a shock that both the 49ers and Purdy are aiming for a deal this year. San Francisco could conceivably kick the can down the road on an extension by trying to force Purdy to play out the final year of his rookie deal and franchise tagging him for two years. That lets a massive question mark hang over the most important position on the field, though. Having a question there could derail the next era for San Francisco. That they’re wanting to get a contract done indicates they’re not angling for the franchise tag option.

Finally, the motivation from both sides could lead to a more reasonable deal for the 49ers. Purdy is determined to get a contract done, and not necessarily to squeeze the most money out. That’s what we saw from defensive end Nick Bosa and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk in the previous two offseasons when their contract negotiations went right up until the start of the regular season.

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If Purdy is in active talks to grab long-term security, it could put the 49ers in a better position to secure a more team-friendly deal.

The next major news we’ll get about Purdy is either that talks have stalled or his deal as done.

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Why small Brock Purdy contract news is big deal for 49ers