The ink’s barely dry on Brock Purdy’s massive five-year, $265 million contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers—$181 million guaranteed, plus a no-trade clause—and the debate’s already raging hotter than a Levi’s Stadium tailgate. At $53 million per year, Purdy’s deal ties him with Jared Goff for the seventh-highest average annual salary among NFL quarterbacks, per Spotrac, a far cry from the bargain-bin rookie contract he was playing on just a month ago. But not everyone’s sold on the 25-year-old’s worth, and one voice stirring the pot is former NFL wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who’s got a close tie to the 49ers through his work as a personal coach for star receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Let’s dive into why this deal’s got fans, analysts, and even former players split—and what it means for San Francisco’s 2025 season.
Houshmandzadeh didn’t hold back on FS1’s Speak on Monday, calling the 49ers’ payday for Purdy an overreach. “I believe they did overpay for Brock Purdy,” he said, per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. “I would have given Brock Purdy $47 million a year. That would have been the most I’m giving him.” His reasoning? Purdy’s 1-6 record against playoff teams last season when injuries hit key starters like Aiyuk, Christian McCaffrey, and Trent Williams. San Francisco started 5-4 through Week 10 but cratered, losing six of their next seven games before shutting Purdy down before Week 18. Houshmandzadeh’s take is blunt: Purdy couldn’t carry the team when the chips were down, and at $47 million annually—good for 12th among QBs—he’d be paid like a solid starter, not a franchise savior.
But let’s pump the brakes and look at Purdy’s resume. The guy’s already got a Super Bowl appearance under his belt, coming a fourth-down stop away from hoisting the Lombardi in 2023 against Kansas City. In two full seasons as a starter, he’s thrown for 8,570 yards, 57 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions, with a 67.1% completion rate and a 9-5 playoff record, per Pro Football Reference. His 2023 campaign—4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns, and a 113.0 passer rating—earned him a Pro Bowl nod and MVP votes. X users are quick to defend him, with one fan posting, “Purdy’s been to more Super Bowls than most QBs on that pay scale. $53M is a steal for what he’s done.” Another argued, “He’s not Mahomes, but he runs Shanahan’s system better than anyone could.”
Houshmandzadeh’s not entirely wrong, though. Last season was rough—Purdy’s 5-12 record and 11 interceptions in those final seven games exposed some cracks when the 49ers’ star-studded roster wasn’t at full strength. Without Aiyuk’s route-running, McCaffrey’s versatility, or Williams anchoring the line, Purdy looked mortal, averaging 228 yards per game with a 7:6 TD-to-INT ratio in that stretch. Critics on X point to those struggles, with one user tweeting, “Purdy’s great with a stacked team, but $265M for a guy who can’t win without his stars? Risky.” Houshmandzadeh echoed that, saying, “If Brock Purdy takes the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl and they win it, then his contract is well worth it. Until he does that, he’s overpaid.”
The 49ers’ bet is clear: they see Purdy as the guy to lead them back to the promised land. Kyle Shanahan’s system thrives on a QB who’s smart, quick, and accurate—Purdy’s hit all those marks since taking over as a seventh-round “Mr. Irrelevant” in 2022. No other team was clamoring to trade for him this spring, but that’s more about his fit in San Francisco’s scheme than a lack of talent. At $53 million a year, he’s pricier than QBs like Kirk Cousins ($45 million) but cheaper than Patrick Mahomes ($62 million). The no-trade clause shows the 49ers’ commitment, but it also raises the stakes—Purdy’s got to deliver, especially with Aiyuk’s uncertain recovery from a 2024 knee injury and McCaffrey showing signs of wear at 29.
What’s wild is Houshmandzadeh’s connection to Aiyuk, who he’s coached personally. Aiyuk, still rehabbing a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus, caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards in 2023 but missed most of 2024. You’ve got to wonder what he’ll say about his mentor’s take—will he back Purdy or nod along with the skepticism? X posts are already speculating, with one fan joking, “Aiyuk’s gonna have some awkward film sessions with Brock now.” Shanahan’s probably praying this doesn’t spark locker-room drama as the 49ers gear up for a redemption season.
The debate’s only getting started. If Purdy leads San Francisco to a Super Bowl—or even just a deep playoff run—the $265 million will look like a bargain. If he stumbles again without his full cast, the doubters, like Houshmandzadeh, will be shouting “told you so.” For now, Purdy’s got the keys to one of the NFL’s best rosters and a fanbase ready to ride or die. Summer’s gonna be spicy in the Bay Area.
