The San Francisco 49ers’ offseason feels like the quiet before a seismic shift—a tension reminiscent of Candlestick Park holding its breath before the 1989 World Series earthquake. Fans clutch their coffee mugs, eyes glued to headlines, wondering if their underdog-turned-star quarterback will ink a deal or vanish like a foggy morning over the Golden Gate. In the NFL, loyalty is fleeting, and Brock Purdy’s contract saga has become the league’s juiciest cliffhanger.

Kyle Shanahan’s playbook has always been unpredictable. Remember when he turned a seventh-round rookie into a Pro Bowler? Now, the 49ers’ chess master faces his toughest checkmate yet: balancing Purdy’s payday with a roster already hemorrhaging veterans. It’s like trying to rebuild a ’67 Mustang while racing it. The stakes? Only the future of a franchise is still chasing that elusive sixth Lombardi Trophy.

David Lombardi’s blunt take? “Purdy’s got one year left on his rookie deal at about $5 million after a performance escalator bonus thanks to his Pro Bowl appearance in 2023.” So, Purdy’s bargain salary is history. Lombardi also noted, “[George] Kittle does at $14.4 million base salary and about $600,000 in bonus money.” Bottom line? Kittle’s current deal is outdated, and both stars want market-resetting paydays now. The latest update?

Progress. Per The Athletic’s Mike Silver, “There has been some progress toward a multi-year extension for Purdy that will likely pay him more than $50 million a year.” But as any NASCAR fan knows, “progress” doesn’t mean crossing the finish line. “The question is, how much progress? If Purdy shows up on Tuesday, it’s a sign that he and his agent believe they are very close to striking a deal,” Silver adds. So, Purdy’s attendance at voluntary OTAs starting April 21 will signal how close they are.

If he’s absent, negotiations might be stuck in third gear. “If Brock Purdy isn’t at the 49ers’ voluntary offseason program starting on Tuesday, that could be a sign the two sides are still a little bit further apart,” said Lombardi. With $5.35 million left on his rookie deal, Purdy’s camp knows his value skyrocketed faster than Bitcoin. The 49ers, meanwhile, must juggle their payday with extensions for George Kittle and Fred Warner.

Kittle’s situation adds another layer. The All-Pro tight end wants to top Trey McBride’s $19 million/year deal. “Kittle’s final price tag, I think, almost certainly is going to be at $20 million per year,” Lombardi added. But Purdy’s contract is the linchpin. If he skips OTAs, the 49ers’ offseason plans could unravel faster than a cheap lawnmower engine. Meanwhile, the trade rumor mill is churning like a Texas twister.

Steelers, Giants lurk as trade vultures for Purdy

Analysts are floating wild scenarios: Could Pittsburgh or New York swoop in? Former NFLer Chris Canty sparked chaos by suggesting the Steelers trade T.J. Watt for Purdy. “[The Steelers should use] T.J. Watt as a way to be able to pry Brock Purdy from San Francisco. The 49ers gutted at defense, being able to add some help for Fred Warner and Nick Bosa. T.J. Watt in that group,” Canty argued. It’s a spicy take, but does it hold weight?

The Steelers haven’t had a franchise QB since Ben Roethlisberger retired. Purdy’s $50 million price tag might make Mike Tomlin sweat, but desperation breeds bold moves. Meanwhile, the Giants—armed with the No. 3 draft pick—could offer a blockbuster deal. Besides, Purdy might be a luxury San Francisco can’t afford.

Yet trading Purdy feels like swapping a Tesla for a tricycle. The 49ers spent years finding their QB answer. GM John Lynch remains steadfast: “Brock is awesome… Brock has been around the facility. Some guys want to give the image of not being around—Brock is there, and we talk. So it’s all good.” Still, with the draft looming, Lynch might face pressure to reset.

Brock Purdy’s saga is a microcosm of modern NFL economics: talent vs. cap space, loyalty vs. logic. The 49ers’ window won’t stay open forever. As Kurt Vonnegut once wrote, “History is merely a list of surprises. It can only prepare us to be surprised yet again.” Will Purdy’s deal be a surprise worth celebrating—or a costly shock?

Final question: Would you pay Purdy $50 million a year, or trade him for a haul and gamble on the draft? The answer could define the 49ers’ decade.