Kyle Shanahan Predicted to Trade Brock Purdy to Steelers After Puka Nacua Asks 49ers to Stop QB’s Contract Extension

Back in 2022, Brock Purdy was the NFL’s ultimate underdog—the 262nd pick, widely dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant,” thrust into the spotlight after injuries sidelined the 49ers‘ top quarterbacks. We saw a glimpse of what Purdy can do if given an opportunity in the 2022 season. But the 2023 season actually put the 49ers’ QB on the map. Three years later, Purdy is not just a starter; the 25-year-old is the linchpin of San Francisco’s offense. And if there is anyone who knows what Purdy brings to the table, it is the Niners HC Kyle Shanahan, who continues to shape the roster around his young QB. And if anyone understands Purdy’s value, it’s head coach Kyle Shanahan, who continues to shape the roster around his young QB. But while Shanahan has made it clear that Purdy is his guy, one major question still looms: his next contract. Although there are no official words yet, if the latest predictions are even close to accurate, San Francisco could be in for their worst nightmare.

Time and again, Shanahan has made it clear that he wants Purdy to be the main guy for San Francisco. Earlier this month, when asked for any latest update on Purdy’s new contract, the Niners’ HC was positive for a new deal. “Those aren’t just things that you just knock out right away. But I believe that we will (sign him). I hope that we do. And hopefully, it won’t come into any football stuff,” Shanahan said. Now, while the Niners are yet to figure out a way to keep their star QB in San Francisco, a potential threat is predicted to be quietly brewing in Pittsburgh that could complicate things for the 49ers.

Mike Tomlin, who is in dire need of a quarterback, has failed to sign his QB1 as of now. And you can not sleep on someone like Tomlin, who is yet to lose a season with the Steelers in nearly two decades. Just like the 49ers, the Steelers have been on a hunt for years to find a face for their franchise. And if Tomlin even gets a whiff of a chance to land a generational talent under center, you better believe he’ll go all in. Now, the question is: Is there actually a chance for the Steelers?

After a sensational season in 2023, Purdy again dropped 3,800+ yards and 20 touchdowns like it was no big deal. Now with just one year left on that bargain contract, the extension chatter’s heating up. And while the latest Steelers prediction might not pan out, it’s certainly enough to make the 49ers’ front office feel the pressure.

On Sunday, Oregon Recruiting Analyst Jon Helmkamp casually posted on his ‘X’ handle, “So what’s the first NFL trade we see this week?” In his response, the NFL draft host Jim Wickens dropped the bomb, replying, “Brock Purdy for George Pickens.” Ain’t that insane ahead of the NFL draft?

The Steelers are in need of a QB, no doubt, considering Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are gone, and there is no confirmation on Aaron Rodgers. But trading for Purdy? That felt less like a trade rumor, more like a reckless gamble on a dicey roll in the middle of a storm. But why a sudden turn of events?

Well, it all started last week when the Cowboys‘ legend and NFL analyst Chris Canty addressed this concern. Canty suggested that the Steelers could give up the pass-rusher T.J. Watt, who’s entering the final season of his $112 million contract and is looking for a lucrative deal in exchange for Purdy, who’s also entering the final season of his rookie deal and is looking for a fat payday.

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“[The Steelers should use] T.J. Watt as a way to be able to pry Brock Purdy from San Francisco,” Canty stated. “The 49ers gutted at defense, being able to add some help for Fred Warner and Nick Bosa… [The 49ers] got the 11th overall pick, so they can presumably draft a quarterback if they don’t have to give up that pick in the trade. I don’t know how the 49ers say no to that.” The Steelers could surely use Purdy as their QB1, as they’re in dire need of a franchise QB since Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2021.

But let’s not kid ourselves—even if the Niners trade Purdy, then what? They’ve the No. 11 pick in the NFL draft, and they could use it to draft a QB, no doubt. But does that really make any sense? I mean, it feels like trading a seasoned chef for an untested apprentice. The reason? See it this way: this year’s class has a couple of top QB prospects. And by the time the 49ers get a chance to draft one of ’em, some other teams would already have snagged them first.

That left them to choose from another QB prospect. And then it’s going to be a repeat cycle. The 49ers developed Purdy in the last three years, and now they would have to develop another QB. All in all, trading Purdy just to draft another QB and free up some cap space? That doesn’t seem like the smartest move, especially when extending his contract feels like the way better play.

Are the 49ers going to offer mid-40 million to Brock Purdy?

The 49ers have stated that they are going to offer what they consider a fair offer to Brock Purdy. But the big question: is Purdy going to consider it as well? That’s the tricky part. If reports are true, the 25-year-old QB is demanding nearly $50 million per year deal. Yeah, that’s $200 million if the Niners sign him for the next four years.

However, the Rams‘ star wide receiver, Puka Nacua, believes that the team’s going to offer him in mid-40 million. Yeah, you read that right. Nacua is out there predicting the division rival’s QB contract. During his recent appearance on Julian Edelman’s Games With Names podcast, Nacua was asked if he’d think that Purdy’s going to sign a deal ranging in the high 40 million.

“I think, no. I think mid-4s,” Nacua noted, stating that it could be around $45 million per year. In his response, Edelman noted that if Purdy does sign a deal in the range of $45 million per year, it would be a smart move. “I think he seems like a smart guy,” Nacua responded. “They have a chance to still be in their window. And I think if he goes for a 5 [$50 million-plus], then the window closes. Right?”

Nacua predicting Brock Purdy’s contract surely sounds a bit odd for a while. But let’s be real—at this point, it’s pretty much certain that the Niners are going to offer him around $45 million per year. Is he going to accept it? That’s hard to pin down at the moment. But with time running out and the trade rumors hitting the headlines, it’d be better for both parties to secure a deal—if they’re willing to do so.