San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy set a franchise record in 2023, throwing for 4,280 yards with 31 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a stellar 113.0 passer rating. He led the team to the Super Bowl, coming agonizingly close to securing a championship. With sights set on another deep playoff run in 2024, the 49ers faced unexpected challenges as injuries and costly mistakes derailed their once-promising season.
Purdy's 2024 campaign reflected the team's struggles. With several key playmakers sidelined, his numbers dipped. He finished with 3,864 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, earning a 96.1 passer rating. Had his production mirrored his breakout 2023 season and resulted in another deep playoff push, Purdy might have positioned himself for a record-setting contract extension.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott currently tops the market with an average annual salary of $60 million. While Purdy is no longer expected to surpass that figure, tough negotiations could still lead to tension—potentially even a holdout. Both Purdy and the 49ers are eager to avoid such a scenario.
"I'm not the kind of guy that wants to have any kind of drama associated with anything," Purdy said two weeks ago. "I'm here for this organization, for my teammates in the locker room, and I want to be very professional about it."
ESPN's 49ers insider Nick Wagoner speculated that Purdy's team-first mindset could influence contract negotiations, potentially paving the way for a more team-friendly deal.
"If Purdy does want to offer a little help in keeping the team strong around him, there are some other fair contract comparisons that can be made," Wagoner noted in an ESPN feature. "In 2024, quarterbacks such as Detroit's Jared Goff and Miami's Tua Tagovailoa, who have posted big numbers with plenty of talent around them, have received extensions near the top of the market."
Goff secured a four-year deal that averages $53 million annually and includes $113.6 million fully guaranteed. Tagovailoa landed a four-year agreement averaging $53.1 million annually, including $93.2 million fully guaranteed.
Given Purdy's accomplishments, he could make a strong case for a similar deal—with Wagoner suggesting it could potentially include more guaranteed money as an incentive to close negotiations quickly.
The annual salaries of Goff and Tagovailoa rank fifth and sixth among quarterbacks, just below Jacksonville Jaguars star Trevor Lawrence, who averages $55 million annually.
When asked if a holdout was possible if negotiations stalled, Purdy responded, "I'm not really sure, as of now. But like I said before, I want to get back to work as soon as I can with the guys, so hopefully, something would get done sooner rather than later."
Regardless of how negotiations unfold, Purdy clearly sees his future with the 49ers.
"I want to be in San Francisco and play my football career here," he shared. "I love it here, and I want to do whatever it takes to be here."