The San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Brock Purdy are hoping for smooth contract extension negotiations this offseason, aiming to avoid the kind of drama that has disrupted the team in recent years. However, ESPN predicts that things might not go as planned.
Purdy has already voiced his desire for a swift resolution to ensure any potential contract talks—or a holdout—don't interfere with the team's offseason program.
"For me, I want to, obviously, get it done," Purdy said after the season. "If that's an opportunity to be able to get that done quick, that'd be great, just so we can get back for phase one, get after it with the receivers and our team, and just continue to grow because we've all gotta grow together."
Unsurprisingly, ESPN identified Purdy's contract as the 49ers' top offseason priority, noting the intrigue surrounding the negotiations. Purdy followed his record-breaking 2023 campaign with a less remarkable 2024 season, leaving some questions about his true value regarding a long-term contract.
"All signs continue to point to both sides wanting to strike a deal this offseason -- remember, Purdy isn't a free agent until 2026 -- but the question is whether the Niners and their quarterback can find a sweet spot that pays him what he deserves while also preserving resources to build out a contender around him," ESPN noted.
However, ESPN analyst Ben Solak is less optimistic about the process going smoothly. He predicts an extended negotiation that could become another drama-filled offseason for the 49ers.
"Unlike most teams that rush to sign young free agents to big contracts, the 49ers will elect to wait on Purdy's contract," Solak predicted. "They want to see more of the quarterback in the changing offense to be sure he's their franchise guy -- he'll be a free agent in 2026. This will lead to a training camp holdout that ultimately resolves with Purdy playing but makes for good summer drama."
While offseason drama might be "good" for news outlets, it would be a headache for the 49ers and their fans. Purdy's presence during offseason activities is crucial for a team looking to bounce back from a disappointing 6-11 season and prove that their injury-plagued 2024 campaign was just a temporary setback rather than a sign that the Super Bowl window has slammed shut.