Back in 2022, Julian Edelman wasn’t shy about his own contract nightmares. The Patriots legend called negotiating with New England “the absolute f*cking worst.” He even told stories of ultimatums, threats, and feeling squeezed after a career-best year. His words? “Like pulling teeth.”

Fast forward to 2025. Same Edelman, now hosting the Games With Names podcast, sitting across Rams breakout star Puka Nacua, and they’re chatting money—Brock Purdy’s money, to be specific. And things took a left turn.

Nacua, casually but firmly, floated the idea that Purdy should cap his salary demands at around $45 million. Anything more, he warned, and the 49ers’ Super Bowl window slams shut. “I think mid four. A 45 [million]. I mean, I think if he does that, that’d be smart for him [Brock] and them. He seems like a smart guy. I think they still—they have a chance to still be in their window. And I think if he goes for a five [as in $50M/year], the window closes,” Nacua said.

It didn’t come off maliciously. But it raised eyebrows, especially coming from a divisional rival. Enter Brady Quinn. The former first-rounder turned FOX Sports analyst didn’t mince words. He took aim not just at Nacua, but at Edelman too—for even teeing up the conversation. “Why are we asking a player from a divisional opponent about another quarterback’s contract situation?” Quinn questioned on-air. “You never hear players say, ‘Yeah homie, take less.’ It’s always: ‘Get yours.’ That’s how the league works.”

But here’s where things get sticky. Was Julian Edelman playing media host? Or was he poking the bear? After all, this is a guy who once had to visit the 49ers—Purdy’s team—to squeeze a better offer out of his own franchise. Now he’s moderating a discussion that, intentionally or not, could rattle a rival QB’s bag?

However, Quinn didn’t stop there. He argued that normalizing “team discounts” is a dangerous slope, especially for guys who’ve beaten the odds like Purdy. “This hurts the middle class,” Quinn said. “If top guys take less, everyone gets squeezed. That’s a step backward.” From Edelman’s horror stories to Nacua’s contract ceiling comments to Quinn’s impassioned response, the debate highlights a bigger war playing out: loyalty vs. leverage, legacy vs. money, rival banter vs. calculated shade.

In the meantime, the 49ers and Rams will square off twice this season. But thanks to a podcast mic, that rivalry’s already heating up—with Brock Purdy’s bank account stuck in the crossfire.

Will the Niners let Brock Purdy walk away?

So, let’s start with what Brock Purdy has actually done on the field:

2023:

• 16 games, 4,280 passing yards, 31 TDs, 11 INTs, 113.0 rating
• Led the 49ers to the Super Bowl

2024:

• 15 games, 3,864 yards, 20 TDs, 12 INTs, 96.1 rating
• Injuries hit the roster —, and the production dipped

Plus, he ran more in 2024 (323 yards, 5 TDs), but the passing efficiency? Down. Big plays? Still there. Accuracy and consistency? A lot more erratic. So, you look at that dip and the Price Tag Problem begins. Purdy and his agent reportedly want north of $50 million per year. That would make him the highest-paid player in franchise history — more than Montana, Young, and Jimmy G combined.

Grant Cohn of Sports Illustrated didn’t mince words: “If Purdy wants $50M, let some other team make that mistake — the way Dallas did with Dak or Miami with Tua.” But he’s not alone. The 49ers haven’t extended Purdy yet, and with every passing day, the silence sounds louder.

Let’s be real: Brock’s never been the guy carrying the team. He’s been the guy benefiting from CMC, Deebo, Aiyuk, Kittle, and the league’s top defense. Take those weapons away? That’s what happened in 2024. McCaffrey missed time. Deebo’s gone. The defense got gutted. And Purdy? He looked… fine. Not terrible. Not elite. Just fine.

Now, if you can read the signs well, then Jarrett Bailey summed it up: “At best, he’s Green Lantern. At worst, he’s Booster Gold.” In 2023, the 49ers brought in Sam Darnold as insurance. Now? It’s Mac Jones, a guy Kyle Shanahan once reportedly preferred over Trey Lance. That’s not a vote of confidence — that’s a Plan B with an upside.

As the legendary Tom Moore once said: “If 18 goes down, we’re f*cked. And we don’t practice f*cked.” That’s what belief in a franchise QB looks like. The 49ers aren’t practicing that way with Purdy.

So… trade Brock Purdy? But here’s the twist: the Niners haven’t blinked. Despite the noise, Mike Florio says they “seem to be ready to go” on a market-level deal. So what gives? Brock Purdy might think he deserves $55 million a year. But until he proves he can win without a cheat code roster, the 49ers have to ask themselves: Is he their future… or just a really good placeholder? Because once you hand him the bag, there’s no going back.