49ers' Big Question: Will Brock Purdy Get Paid This Offseason or Are We in for a Showdown?
There’s never a dull moment when it comes to the NFL offseason, and if you’re a San Francisco 49ers fan, buckle up—this year’s drama might just center around your quarterback. After a relatively quiet stretch following a deep playoff run, it looked like things were lining up for the 49ers to reward Brock Purdy with the kind of long-term deal that cements him as the face of the franchise. But pump the brakes—because insiders aren’t quite as optimistic about this happening quickly.
Let’s break this down.
💰 A Deal Before April 22? Don’t Count on It.
General Manager John Lynch recently gave fans a glimmer of hope when he told reporters at the NFL’s Annual League Meeting that a Purdy contract extension before April 22—the start of Phase One of offseason workouts—wasn’t “too optimistic.” That would’ve been a nice, clean way to avoid distractions heading into training camp.
Imagine showing up to camp with your QB fully locked in—no money drama, no whispers, just pure football. That would be a dream scenario for Kyle Shanahan and the rest of the staff. Unfortunately, that dream may not be the reality.
🕰️ Timing Is Everything: Why Late May Might Be More Realistic
Former agent and current CBS Sports writer Joel Corry, who’s got deep experience in the NFL contract world, isn’t buying the early-extension optimism. According to Corry, history suggests the 49ers move slowly when it comes to handing out big checks. He circled May 27—when Phase Three of the offseason begins and organized team activities (OTAs) allow for 11-on-11 work—as a more likely deadline.
In other words, don’t be shocked if Brock Purdy skips early workouts unless a deal is on the table.
"A more realistic ambitious timetable for signing Purdy might be by May 27," Corry noted via CBS Sports.
This would line up with how the 49ers have handled massive extensions in the past. Remember George Kittle’s deal? Or Fred Warner’s? Those took time. San Francisco doesn’t rush when it comes to big money.
🧠 Let’s Talk Strategy: Franchise Tag vs. Long-Term Deal
Here’s where things get complicated—and kind of juicy.
The 49ers aren’t just working against the clock; they’re also working within the parameters of NFL salary cap strategy. One huge variable in all of this? The franchise tag.
Let’s say the Niners decide not to extend Purdy this offseason. Instead, they could let him play out his rookie deal and then tag him the following year. That move—if used two seasons in a row—would cost the team somewhere in the neighborhood of $97 million over two years. Ouch.
That route would also deny Purdy the long-term financial security most quarterbacks in his situation are craving. Imagine being the guy who led your team to NFC Championship Games, maybe even a Super Bowl, and still not having a long-term deal locked down. That could create tension—not just between Purdy and the front office, but in the locker room too.
⚖️ Leverage Game: Who Has the Upper Hand?
This whole situation is turning into a classic NFL standoff. On one side, you’ve got the 49ers, who can slow-play negotiations and lean on the franchise tag. On the other? Brock Purdy, who may not have been a first-round pick, but sure has been playing like one.
Let’s not forget: Purdy’s résumé is stacking up against quarterbacks making $55 million a year. He’s been efficient, poised, and most importantly—he’s winning. That gives him real bargaining power.
If talks drag into training camp, both sides are playing chess, not checkers. It’s a battle of leverage—and egos. Purdy knows he’s earned his shot at a big payday. The 49ers know they hold the keys with the tag. Who blinks first?
📉 Past Contracts Still Haunt This Front Office
Let’s rewind to 2018 for a second. Remember when Jimmy Garoppolo got that massive contract after only five starts? That deal made him the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL at the time. And it didn’t age well.
That memory still lingers in the front office. You better believe the Niners are being extra cautious this time around. While Purdy has played more games than Jimmy had back then, the team knows just how much damage a bloated contract can do if things go sideways.
It’s a fair concern, but at some point, you’ve got to bet on your guy. Hasn’t Purdy done enough to earn that trust?
🔥 The Pressure Is On: What This Means for Shanahan and Lynch
Here’s the wildcard in all this: the implications for the leadership duo of Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch.
If this turns into another offseason of quarterback uncertainty, it’s going to wear thin. Fans are getting anxious. The media will circle. And if the team struggles early in the season while contract drama swirls in the background, you better believe the noise will get loud.
This camp could define not just Purdy’s future—but the legacy of this current 49ers regime. Are they the front office that finally got the QB spot right? Or are they destined to keep circling the drain with contract confusion?
🧩 So, What’s Really Holding Things Up?
Well, it’s not just about numbers. It’s about perception, precedent, and positioning.
There’s a logjam of quarterbacks in the $55 million range—guys like Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, and Jalen Hurts. Purdy’s stats and playoff performances arguably belong in that tier. But since he was Mr. Irrelevant in the draft, he doesn’t have the same pedigree. That complicates things.
How do you value a player who massively outperforms his draft slot? That’s a front office puzzle with no easy answer.
📣 What Fans Should Watch For
Keep an eye on whether Purdy shows up for OTAs in May. If he skips them, the writing’s on the wall that negotiations aren’t going well. If he’s present, maybe the two sides are closer than we think.
Also watch for any whispers about trade rumors, or the team sniffing around backup QBs in free agency or the draft. Those kinds of moves can signal that a long standoff is coming.
Final Thought:
Brock Purdy has proven himself. Now it’s time for the front office to do the same. Either step up with the deal, or prepare for the consequences of letting your franchise QB walk into a contract year with a chip on his shoulder.
The ball’s in your court, San Francisco.
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