A significant contract extension is undoubtedly in store for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. However, opinions on his value remain divided. Some analysts believe he could command top-10 money, while others suggest he could climb even higher on the list of the NFL's highest-paid players.
There are even some who think Purdy might reset the quarterback market, surpassing Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys, whose deal averages $60 million annually.
However, ESPN analyst Tim Hasselbeck, a former NFL quarterback, doesn't believe Purdy will surpass Prescott's salary. He pointed out that the 49ers may have some negotiating leverage in their favor.
"Look, it'll (the contract cost) be significant because they've basically been paying nothing for a quarterback because of the contract that Purdy was on," Hasselbeck explained on NFL Live.
As the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy has earned a modest salary compared to other starting quarterbacks, providing the 49ers with valuable salary-cap flexibility in recent years.
"So, look, it'll change things," Hasselbeck continued. "At the same time, I think if you just look at the scenario, and you think, look, they want Brock Purdy. Brock Purdy wants to be there. I actually don't think there would be some crazy free-agent market for Purdy. It's never going to get to that point anyway."
He added, "So, I think he's going to get paid like a starter, but this idea that he's going to reset the quarterback market, I actually don't believe that that's going to happen for Purdy. I think the team, in some ways, will take advantage of him because he basically hasn't made any money yet, and will get him under contract."
Hasselbeck believes the new deal will force the 49ers to begin operating similarly to other organizations with high-priced quarterbacks and can still find ways to keep several of their key playmakers around Purdy.
"I actually think the Niners end up being in pretty good shape," Hasselbeck concluded.
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