The Brock Purdy-49ers contract chapter has become a full-blown saga by now. Still, while the words have been exchanged, there is no ink to show for it at all. The delay forced rumor mill to run as just last month, former NFL cornerback, Jason McCourty, urged the Pittsburgh Steelers, another franchise lost in the woods for a QB1, to call GM John Lynch and get Purdy to the Steel City. But that was just it. There was no buzz, no calls.

In a league that treats QBs like gold bars, this says a whole lot without saying much at all. What’s worse is The Athletic’s Dianna Russini’s confirmation — “There have not been any teams that have called the San Francisco 49ers to trade for Brock Purdy.” The 2022 seventh rounder went from being Mr. Irrelevant to one of the top QBs with San Fran, showing the NFL just what he is capable of. And hence, he has the confidence to ask for a good pay.

Previously, Albert Breer mentioned on The Rich Eisen Show that, “Niners would like to keep it in the 4s and Purdy’s camp in the 5.” In the annual NFL meeting as well, Lynch, HC Kyle Shanahan, and Jed York confirmed in way or another that they want to keep Brock. Reports too suggested that the team is breaking bank to keep the Iowa State alum. And now, finally, seems like that’s exactly what is happening as Russini breaks further updates.

On the latest episode of the Scoop City Podcast, Dianna asked, “So, Trevor Lawrence is the name I hear — in terms of, not necessarily the comp — but is that the line of that’s going to be drawn in terms of what he [Purdy] should be paid? “

Now see, amongst the top paid QBs this time around like Josh Allen and Joe Burrow, another name is Trevor Lawrence, who was once possibly in the conversations to come play in San Fran. And now, with the 49ers putting their faith in Purdy as their roster experiences several changes, it seems like the $52–55 million APY that Purdy’s camp was eyeing, just might be closer. And that’s when a nod from co-host and former QB Chase Daniels assured that this might be the correct route after Dianna’s next question.

Russini further asked, “So, if I asked your opinion right now — forget Kyle Shanahan — you’re just the head coach of a team and you need a quarterback, and Trevor Lawrence is available and Brock Purdy is available, who are you taking?”

To this, Chase replied, “Depends on my scheme. 100%. I want a winner. I want a guy who knows how to run the system. I would probably take Brock Purdy. Like, Trevor — without a doubt — more talented. Trevor’s won in the playoffs…” Before he could finish his thought, Dianna interrupted, “Should Brock make more money than Trevor Lawrence?”

Without a single second wasted, Chase asserted, “Yeah. I think it should be about similar. I think that it should be between $53 and $55 million. And I think two years from now, San Francisco are going to look back on this and be like ‘That was a deal’ based on the salary caps going.”

This isn’t about who’s “better” in a vacuum. It’s about fit, future, and cold hard cap space. Purdy put up 3,864 yards and 20 touchdowns last season despite the supporting players injured. In 2023, he has an MVP-like record with 4,280 yards. Solid. But Lawrence, even in a rocky year, still flashes upside Purdy. Bottom line is that if no one in the league sees Purdy as a standalone star, how do you pay him like one? But Jed York has all the belief in the QB.

Top Comment by Paul Q

4 Years at 200 appears to be a compromise.

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In the annual NFL meeting earlier, he 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.”

As for Brock, he was ready back in January when he told, “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.”

And Russini didn’t stop there. She reminded everyone that before the Trey Lance experiment, the Niners were flirting with Mac Jones—who, by the way, is also on the roster now. Sprinkle in the fact that Purdy hasn’t drawn even a whiff of trade interest, and suddenly this contract negotiation starts feeling more like damage control than a celebration tour.

Currently, the quarterback is on his final year of the rookie contract worth $3,737,008/ 4 years that he signed in 2022. This season, he is set to make just $5 million, a minute section of what other QBs make in the league. Not to mention, he went to the Super Bowl with the team on a paycheck that added less than $1 million to his bank account. But with a 27-15 record as a starter and a $857,842.50 performance bonus by NFL, he has the upper hand in making his wishes come true.

The Niners might believe in him—but belief doesn’t cost $55 million unless you’re absolutely sure. And from the sound of it, the rest of the NFL is not interested in that bet.

The 49ers believe in Brock Purdy: Simple as that!

You ever get so deep into something that backing out just isn’t an option anymore? That’s the 49ers right now with Brock Purdy. They found their “guy.” Finally. After six long seasons of quarterback roulette—Jimmy G, Trey Lance, even a little Nick Mullens cameo—they’ve decided Purdy’s the one worth the bag. And not just any bag. We’re talking $50 million-per-year territory. Which, yeah, is wild when you realize he’s still on a rookie deal worth $5.3 million this season. But here’s the kicker—Kyle Shanahan and Jed York aren’t blinking.

Jed is all in. “I think he is [a top-10 quarterback],” York said, and just when you thought the praise was pouring in, he added a caveat: “Especially when you combine him with Kyle and what we have.” That little “especially” is doing a lot of heavy lifting. Like, would Brock be Brock without Shanahan dialing it up like a Madden prodigy on fourth and inches? That’s the question York tiptoed around—and you can bet Purdy’s agent didn’t miss it.

Kyle’s a bit more low-key, but he dropped a gem too. “I believe that we will [sign him]. I hope that we do,” he said, while keeping his fingers crossed Purdy shows up to the offseason program. You can almost picture Kyle pacing like a coach watching the play clock tick down, waiting for his QB1 to walk through the door without a holdout cloud hanging over Levi’s Stadium.

GM Lynch too confirmed, “Brock wants to be with us. We want Brock to be with us. When that’s the case, these things typically get done.”

Here’s what this really feels like: the Niners are treating Purdy like a rare card they finally pulled after years of bad packs. And now, even if that card’s value on the open market is debatable, they’re protecting it like it’s a one-of-one Mahomes rookie. Logic? Maybe not. Loyalty? Absolutely. They’ve whiffed on enough QB picks to know when they’ve finally hit on something stable—even if it sets them up for some future cap gymnastics.

The fans? Some are skeptical. Some get it. But York and Shanahan? They’re already writing checks with confidence. And if Purdy keeps putting up numbers with Shanahan in his headset, who’s stopping them? It’s their guy. Their offense. Their bet. Now let’s see what kind of return they get.