ESPN's Dan Graziano recently projected contract figures for 10 upcoming free agents and extension-eligible players. Among the latter is San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who is expected to become the highest-paid player in franchise history. The bigger question remains: where will he rank among the NFL's highest-paid players?
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott holds the league's top salary, earning an average of $60 million annually. While Graziano doesn't predict Purdy surpassing or approaching that number, he still projects a massive jump in earnings, placing him among the top 10 highest-paid quarterbacks. The ESPN analyst forecasts a four-year, $196 million contract for Purdy, with $112 million guaranteed—a significant increase from his rookie contract as the last overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
"The 49ers do not hold a fifth-year option on Purdy because he was not a first-round pick," Graziano wrote. "So if he played out the 2025 season, he'd be either an unrestricted free agent or (much more likely) a franchise tag recipient in 2026. Purdy has led the 49ers to two NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl appearance as the top bargain of the past three seasons in the entire league. Surely both sides agree that the time has come for a significant raise."
Graziano points out that the potential for a franchise tag in 2026 gives the 49ers leverage if Purdy's camp pushes for a higher annual salary. However, both sides would likely prefer getting a deal done quickly, ensuring the young quarterback can fully participate in the team's offseason program.
"Some of the people I talked to expect that the framework would likely build out from the contract Daniel Jones signed with the Giants two years ago (four years, $160 million with $81 million guaranteed)," Graziano added. "But it would obviously be adjusted upward for inflation and based on superior performance."
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Meanwhile, Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard reported this week that the 49ers don't anticipate drawn-out negotiations, as has been the case with some recent extensions.
"I heard from a plugged-in NFL source this week that the 49ers and Purdy's camp are, indeed, feeling like there won't be fireworks on the way to an eventual deal," Kawakami wrote. "But I've also heard generally that the framework might be a little different than some other recent QB deals."
Purdy's contract is the 49ers' biggest offseason storyline, and a swift resolution would end the speculation surrounding his value to the franchise, allowing the team to focus entirely on preparing for the 2025 season without unnecessary distractions.
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