Did you know that 10 NFL quarterbacks earn more than $50 million annually? That stat matters, especially because the 49ers are yet to reach a final deal with their quarterback, Brock Purdy. Head coach Kyle Shanahan is in ongoing talks with Purdy’s agent, but questions remain about both the money and the length of the contract. Purdy is reportedly seeking a long-term deal, which is causing some concern within the organization.

Right now, the debate is split. One camp believes Purdy deserves a deal worth over $50 million a year, while the other argues he hasn’t earned that kind of payday—at least not yet. But why so?

There are several reasons behind the debate. Brock Purdy is often labeled a “system quarterback”—someone who thrives when surrounded by the right pieces. Without a strong offensive line, his performance tends to suffer. This became evident last season when key players like wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and running back Christian McCaffrey were sidelined with injuries. The 49ers struggled, ultimately finishing 4th in the NFC West with a 6-11 record.

During the April 19 episode of The Herd Show, the host Colin Cowherd cited history lessons from Drew Brees and Sean Payton at the NO Saints. He said, “When Drew Brees took the bag in New Orleans for two years, the team wasn’t any good. And then Drew’s like, I got to renegotiate this deal, we need more players.” Brock Purdy wouldn’t like that to happen.

For those of you who don’t know, Drew Brees signed a 5-year, $100 million contract with the Saints in 2012. While the morale was high, it was the beginning of a downward track. They failed to qualify for the play-offs that year. In 2013, they cruised through with an 11-5 win-loss record. The next three years were also a failure as they couldn’t reach the postseason.

If the 49ers still sign a big contract with their quarterback, they might face problems in other departments. It will have a bigger impact on their 2025 campaign by leaving less money to sign new players.

Is Kyle Shanahan entering his worst season potentially?

A few days back, Rams WR Puka Nacua discussed the 49ers quarterback situation with the NFL legend Julian Edelman. When asked if Brock Purdy will get paid more than $50 million, he did not show much confidence. But he did say that Mr. Irrelevant might draw around $40 million annually.

However, this situation could close the Super Bowl window for the 49ers. Reportedly, Head Coach Kyle Shanahan doubts they can win it all this year. The team has traded away several key players and now sits with $38.5 million in cap space—but they’re also burdened with $80 million in dead cap due to those trades. To rebuild into a true Super Bowl contender, they’ll need to draft wisely this year and sign key free agents.

One thing is clear: if the 49ers sign Brock Purdy to a massive deal, their Super Bowl hopes could take a hit. With Deebo Samuel traded, reinforcing the offensive line is now a top priority. Ultimately, the decisions rest with Kyle Shanahan.