49ers make decision on Brock Purdy's future as franchise QB amid rumored $325,000,000 deal: Report
Brock Purdy has had a meteoric to become one of the most highly-touted quarterbacks in the league. Initially a third-stringer, he first assumed the starting job late in his rookie season and took the San Francisco 49ers to the NFC Championship Game.
As a sophomore, he proved even better, leading the league in average yards per attempt at 9.6 and passer rating at 113.0 and going all the way to the Super Bowl, where he and his team came up short against Patrick Mahomes' dynastic Kansas City Chiefs.
But in 2024, injuries have derailed the 49ers' quest for another Super Bowl berth, even as their quarterback continues excelling, including setting a career-high 285 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
General manager John Lynch is adamant about Purdy, with rumors even suggesting that a record-breaking $325-million deal is in the works for the offseason.
And that notion is something that The Athletic's Dianna Russini is backing. She wrote on Saturday:
"(The 49ers are) firmly committed to Brock Purdy as their long-term quarterback. I’ve been told (that they) are still planning to negotiate a multi-year contract extension with Purdy this offseason, backing up the message they’ve consistently sent: 'Purdy is our quarterback.'
"Now, the big question is: How much will they pay him? Extending Purdy is definitely doable, but it will require some savvy salary cap moves and maybe a few roster adjustments in 2025."
Brock Purdy does not deserve record-breaking contract yet, says writer
There is at least one person who believes that Brock Purdy's rumored record-breaking deal, should not happen, at least not in the present. Patrick Holloway, writer for SB Nation's Niners Nation, argues that as the one-time Pro Bowler's stature increases, so shall the expectations on him that he must fulfill before he can be said to deserve it:
"Perhaps the 49ers make a respectable offer, but nothing that will break the bank. A good way of looking at it is Purdy is no longer demonstrating he can win in certain situations; he’s now expected to win in those situations. And the larger the contract, the greater the expectations are."
He adds that paying Purdy more money will also mean skimping elsewhere, especially in the rest of the offense. As of now, wide receiver Deebo Samuel is being mentioned as a possible cut given his lack of production in 2024 and the presence of other options at his position, like Brandon Aiyuk, who is expected to return from a serious knee injury; and Jauan Jennings, who has been solid in Aiyuk's absence.