With the NFL’s offseason roster limit set at 90, the San Francisco 49ers are still 15 players short. The most likely reason? They’re keeping room to actively add more talent in free agency. However, while they continue signing new players, Brock Purdy’s contract extension remains unresolved. And amid ongoing debates about QB’s contract, one NFL insider just dropped a shocking update—one that directly connects to Dak Prescott.

According to Mike Garafolo, “Based on recent QB contract extensions in relation to the salary cap, Brock Purdy has a strong case to make for a deal that comes close to Dak Prescott’s $60 million per year.” He also added, “I don’t see this getting done until the 49ers and Brock Purdy agree on a number that’s close to Dak Prescott. Not all the way there, but close to Dak Prescott and Purdy saying ‘that’s fair’, but it also still gives the team and John Lynch the opportunity to do things elsewhere.”

Sounds extravagant, right? But it becomes even more interesting when you consider that the 49ers QB is currently on a contract that averages less than $1 million a year. After drafting Brock Purdy in 2022, the 49ers signed him to a four-year, $3,737,008 deal. Since then, his performance for the organization—leading in average passing yards in 2023 while making it to the Super Bowl and earning a Pro Bowl selection—has been outstanding. Yet, his annual average salary is just $934,252. Compared to Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, those numbers are minuscule.

In 2024, Prescott signed a four-year, $240 million contract extension with the Cowboys, bringing his annual salary to a staggering $60 million. On top of that, he carries a cap hit of $52,974,313 for Jerry Jones. Do the 49ers really want to go down this path? In fact, many fans have commented under the original post, arguing that the 49ers should avoid giving Purdy a Prescott-like contract extension, as the Cowboys have suffered the consequences.

When Dak Prescott was a rookie, he signed a four-year, $2,723,393 deal with the Cowboys. But Jerry Jones’ unwavering trust in him led to a massive contract extension that almost felt like a power move. However, in that same season, Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury, leaving the Cowboys with no choice but to sit tight and wait it out. As for Brock Purdy, injuries have been a concern as well. In the 2024 season, he suffered an elbow injury in Week 17 against the Lions. Before that, he also dealt with a shoulder injury on November 17, 2024. According to DraftShark, Purdy’s injury risk for the 2025 season is over 25%. Now, the big question is whether Kyle Shanahan’s team will offer him a Dak Prescott-like extension.

Meanwhile, the 49ers are hoping Purdy can have the same impact on their offense that Matthew Stafford had with the Rams. They want the offense to lead the way, just as Stafford and Puka Nacua did in Los Angeles. But what’s the real issue here, and how are the 49ers treating Purdy like Stafford? Let’s dive in.

The 49ers eye Matthew Stafford-like impact from Brock Purdy 

While many fans are talking about Brock Purdy and his contract extension, it’s worth noting that he can deliver Matthew Stafford-like results moving forward. In 2022, the Rams made a bold move by parting ways with more than nine players and retaining only a few key veterans, including Matthew Stafford. The strategy was centered on the offense leading the team, with the franchise prioritizing that aspect while the rest of the squad acted as support—like carriages behind the engine of a freight train. As a result, the Rams saw improved success, making the playoffs in both 2023 and 2024.

This has been described well by The San Francisco Standard‘s David Lombardi. In his long take on the Brock Purdy issue, he said, “They were number 29 defensively over the course of their first three months and that improved to No. 5 over the course of the last month and then the postseason. So, the Rams bet on Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Puka Nacua in 2024 to carry them.” At the end of the regular season, the Rams ended up 10-7 and on top of the NFC West.

Davis also added, The offense was the locomotive that pulled the train and I think that reading between the lines, it’s quite obvious that the 49ers are looking at Purdy and offense to be the driver of what happens for this football team. This is one of the largest votes of confidence that the 49ers can give Purdy. We know that he’s going to get the contract extension this offseason. And that, of course, is going to be the hard and fast bet on Purdy.” Now with the latest re-signing, Kyle Juszczyk will also stick with Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, and George Kittle. 

Speaking on Brock Purdy’s contract extension, many experts and analysts have also suggested that he shouldn’t rush to accept the 49ers’ initial offer. While the team doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to finalize a deal, it will be interesting to see if Purdy ultimately secures the average annual salary projected by Mike Garafolo.