Brock Purdy entered contract negotiations with the San Francisco 49ers fully aware that the business side of the NFL can be ruthless, and uncertain that a deal would come together quickly. Fortunately, the process went smoothly. Both sides agreed to a five-year, $265 million contract extension well before the start of organized team activities next week.
While Purdy received updates from his agent throughout the process, this was unfamiliar territory for the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. His rookie contract had been predetermined by the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) based on his draft slot.
Several of Purdy's teammates—such as Nick Bosa, George Kittle, and Fred Warner—had previously navigated their own contract negotiations with the team. Naturally, Purdy leaned on their experience as he prepared for his first.
"I think they did a great job just giving me a heads up, like, 'Hey man, this is how negotiating is and obviously it's a business, but this is sort of what you can expect. This is what we experienced and went through, and don't hang your head on this or that,'" Purdy said on Wednesday. "They did a great job with giving me some real good advice going into it. Same with Bosa and all those guys."
Purdy, Kittle, and Warner all finalized extensions with the 49ers this offseason. While it was a familiar process for Kittle and Warner, it was a first for Purdy.
"And then, obviously, they're going through an extension at the same time, and everybody's contract and situation is different," Purdy added. "We're not all in the same exact boat, but just when it comes to the negotiating, you want to get a deal done. You want to have that stress off your shoulders and just focus on football. So, I think we were all able to relate in that way.
"But yeah, those guys definitely looked out for me and gave me a heads up."
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