The San Francisco 49ers are continuing work on a long-term contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy—one that could make him one of the NFL’s highest-paid players. The ongoing debate about Purdy’s ranking among top quarterbacks and overall value remains as intense as ever.
To crack the league’s top 10 earners, Purdy would need an annual salary of at least $51 million—and it’s likely he lands above that mark. The real question is whether he’ll hover near that $51 million floor or push closer to Dak Prescott’s NFL-leading $60 million per year.
Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame recently spoke with several high-ranking NFL sources who expressed skepticism about committing such a significant sum to a player some believe excels mainly due to the talent around him. They point to the 49ers’ injury-riddled six-win season in 2024 as evidence that Purdy might not be capable of carrying a team on his own.
“I’d play it out as long as possible without paying him if I was San Francisco, including using tags, etc.,” one high-ranking NFC personnel man told Verderame. “I think paying him $50-plus million is very risky.”
Purdy thrived in 2023 with an elite supporting cast, posting 4,280 yards, 31 passing touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while leading the NFL with a 113.0 passer rating. In 2024, despite playing only one fewer game, his numbers dipped. Purdy had 416 fewer passing yards, 11 fewer touchdown throws, one additional interception, and a passer rating that dropped to 96.1.
“Beyond the five or six [quarterbacks] that don’t need people around them, he’s in that group of guys that do need good players around him but can play at a high level,” an NFC offensive assistant coach said.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what executives from other teams think. What matters is how general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan view their quarterback—and by all accounts, they believe they’ve found their guy. Now, they’ll likely need to pay him accordingly, which means the largest contract in franchise history.
“If they think he’s the guy, they’ve probably got to pay him the $50-plus million,” a senior personnel executive told Verderame. “If not, how and who will they get to be a better fit?”
Shanahan understands how dangerous it can be to overpay at the game’s most crucial position. If you’re going to hand out a mega-deal, you need unwavering belief the player is the guy.
“You need to be certain on that,” Shanahan said last week. “I mean, you pay a quarterback, and if that’s not who you’re certain about, it’s not going to be very fun after that.”
Not everyone Verderame spoke with was as cautious in evaluating the situation. One coach said they would give Purdy the money he seeks but noted one caveat in the quarterback’s play.
“I like the guy,” one longtime defensive coordinator said of Purdy. “Better athlete than you would think. As long as he gets the ball out on time, he’s good. Once it’s not clean, he becomes average.”
