Big Blow to Brock Purdy as 49ers Gain Leverage in Contract Negotiation After $42.75M Update

The San Francisco 49ers are in their ‘rebuild’ era for the upcoming season. Having already lost 17 players, one key they want to keep is QB Brock Purdy as owner Jed York doing, “Everything we can to make that work.” However, after trade rumors and a long time of contract negotiations, nothing fruitful has been concluded.

Last month, Albert Breer informed Rich Eisen, “I think the number, I think that the Niners would like to keep it in the 4s and Purdy’s camp in the 5s… There’s a disagreement in where they stand.” Still, in the Annual Meeting, York cleared the air, “We want him to be here for a long, long time.” The long discussions definitely do not mean anything.

The confirmation is– Brock Purdy is staying. But just when the payday checks for QBs were looking to get a raise, there came an update worth $42.75M. Result? It can potentially give the Niners an upper hand over Purdy.

According to contract analyst Akash Anavarathan’s tweet, “Geno Smith (is) getting $42.75M in new-money APY over a 2-year extension.” Sounds great for Smith, who has been hired by the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. But what about Brock Purdy? Well, there might be a shocker, via Anavarathan, “From a 49ers-Brock Purdy standpoint, (it) feels like that benefits the 49ers side when it comes to an APY standpoint.”

At present, Brock Purdy is signed to his 4-year, $3,737,008 rookie contract he signed in 2022 as a seventh-round pick with the San Francisco 49ers. Mr. Irrelevant has been to a Super Bowl on a contract that averages less than $1 million per season. Now, with the rising market and no fifth-year option with the franchise (reserved for elite picks from the first round of the draft), he wants his payday something close to or above that of Dak Prescott or Josh Allen’s deal, not a two-figure Smith-like deal. Nor does York want that.

Amidst the notion of being called “Cheap” by the many after years of being at or near the top of spending, the owner, mentioned, “It’s just a math thing. When you sit down with your guys and figure out where do you want to go, what do you want to build, when you make the decision that you want to pay a quarterback that has obviously been underpaid for his first three seasons in the NFL. When you make that change, you have to make sacrifices somewhere. It’s a decision that we made collectively, and we’re hoping that we make somebody the highest-paid player in the history of our franchise.”

NFL contracts are skyrocketing. In terms of quarterbacks, Buffalo Bills superstar Josh Allen is the latest to cash in. With his six-year, $330 million extension, Allen’s $250 million guaranteed becomes the highest in NFL history. But still, Dak Prescott remains the highest-paid QB annually with his four-year, $240 million deal. But no doubt, Smith’s latest ‘low-money’ contract has brought down the average QB contract value in the market.

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This might have an impact in terms of the valuation that the league will determine. The 49ers might decide to franchise tag Purdy instead of offering him a mega contract because the salaries for exclusive franchise-tagged players depends on the average of the top salaries at the player’s position for the current year.

But more directly, it will raise questions over what Purdy is worth in terms of quality and output. The QB recorded MVP-caliber 4,280 yards in 2023 and 3,864-20 in 2024 despite supporting players injured. He made 2023 Pro Bowl while leading the NFL in total QBR and yards per attempt. Additionally, he also received a performance bonus from the NFL, adding $857,842.50 to his season’s earnings. Now, he stands at 27-15 record as a starter including the playoffs. So, he should get some leverage over Smith’s deal.

Geno is older, entering his 35th year, and thus, arguably less valuable player than Brock Purdy. But many still feel Purdy and Smith are in the same tier, especially after the Niners failed to make the playoffs in 2024 with key offensive weapons injured. One thing is certain: This new downfall in the deal has surely disrupted the QB market with Purdy next in line to get paid.

“I want to get it done quick. Just so we can get back for Phase 1, get after it with our receivers and our team. I’m not the kind of guy that wants to have any kind of drama associated with anything,” Purdy said in January.

Brock Purdy, who could have gotten a big fat contract, might now find himself playing a cat-and-mouse game. It’s true that the 49ers were already stalling and didn’t want to pay as much as the market demand of Purdy. But Smith’s new contract surely gives them the upper hand. As a result, it could now blow a few million off the QB’s new contract. But what will be the effect?

How much will Bock Purdy get in his new contract?

After losing 17 players in the off season, Brock Purdy’s future contract is already making an impact before he’s even signed it. Talking about it, the owner, Jed York, admitted the team had to make tough choices. He also knows a massive payday is coming for Purdy. He stated previously, “I don’t negotiate contracts, but any conversations that I’ve had with Brock have been great. I feel good. When he’s ready, we’ll sit down and finish it. It shouldn’t be that hard to do.” 

Even general manager John Lynch said, “Brock wants to be with us. We want Brock to be with us. When that’s the case, these things typically get done.” So, how much is the QB going to make this time?

Well, some reports say he could be eyeing $60 million per season. If this happens, it will put him in the same range as Dak Prescott. In fact, there are some analysts who believe Brock Purdy will get around $50 or $60 million in his new contract. But not everyone’s buying that number. One NFL executive even questioned if the former seventh-round pick could really demand that kind of deal.

Right now, Brock Purdy is set to make just $5 million in 2025 – a fraction of what top quarterbacks earn. The 49ers could try to franchise tag him twice to delay a long-term deal. But that’s risky in terms of alienating the player and fans and disrupting locker room chemistry. Would Purdy take less to help the team keep talent around him? Or will he push for every dollar he can get?

Nevertheless, one thing is certain: Purdy’s payday is coming. And it’s going to define the market one way or another.