Having made just $1.8M last season as the 49ers’ undisputed starting QB, Brock Purdy’s contract was always going to be a headline all offseason. Purdy has been the biggest bargain the 49ers have ever snagged, given he was drafted last in 2022. His measly rookie contract has allowed the Niners to strengthen other positions. But now that it’s his turn to secure a larger deal, the 49ers have yet to reach a resolution. Despite their constant efforts to make space by getting rid of starters, Purdy remains unextended. However, Purdy, who has expressed, “I want to do whatever it takes to be here,” is doing what others haven’t before him.
As the 49ers opened their offseason program, two of their biggest stars weren’t on the same page. George Kittle, who is entering the final year of his then-record-breaking, five-year,$75M contract, wasn’t present at the Niners’ facility. While these sessions are voluntary, Kittle’s absence may not be a concern. But considering the tight end market was reset by Trey McBride’s $19M per year deal, Kittle may have eyes on the biggest tight end contract (again). However, it was reported that the 49ers and Kittle remain “far apart” in negotiations for a new deal, which may also explain his absence.
Coming back to Purdy, he and the 49ers are apparently close to a multi-million-dollar extension. Per Michael Silver of The Athletic, “There has been some progress toward a multi-year extension for Purdy that will likely pay him more than $50 million a year.” Well, Silver also floated the question, “How much progress?” He speculated on two scenarios. One that involved Purdy being present at the 49ers’ voluntary workout activities. And the other is sitting out, which a lot of his teammates had already done.
As for Purdy, he kept his word on handling the situation maturely. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Purdy was in attendance today to open the team’s offseason workout program. He could have chosen the tactic of Nick Bosa, Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel. But that’s not the route Purdy chose. This led to their GM John Lynch adding, “There have been some substantive talks that have this thing going in a good direction.”
Showing how dearly the 49ers matter to him. He didn’t want to leverage a holdout as a negotiation tactic. Instead, he is there attending the meetings, working out for a favorable outcome. If this gesture isn’t enough for the 49ers to give their biggest late-round gem a contract he deserves, then what is? Honestly, they should sort his future out before this relationship can turn sour. And hopefully, they won’t negotiate his contract the way they apparently did with Davante Adams.
