The San Francisco 49ers have committed to Brock Purdy as the face of their franchise, signing the quarterback to a five-year, $265 million contract extension.
While the deal places Purdy among the league’s top earners, it’s notable that he did not push to be the highest-paid player at his position.
Instead, Purdy’s new contract ranks seventh in average annual value among NFL quarterbacks.
In an era where quarterback salaries have exploded – with five players now earning at least $55 million per year and Dak Prescott topping the market at $60 million – Purdy’s contract is something of an outlier.
Alongside Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who also recently signed an extension without setting a new market benchmark, Purdy’s deal appears to buck the “record-setting” trend.
Most analysts have praised San Francisco’s ability to lock in a rising star at a manageable rate … But not everyone sees it that way.
FS1’s Colin Cowherd argued that Purdy’s deal was too generous, especially in comparison to other quarterbacks around the league.
“I like quarterbacks who initiate advantage, not benefit mostly from it. And I’m not saying he’s a smart kid that doesn’t move well … I think Brock tends to be closer in talent to a Baker Mayfield 35 million a year, than Josh Allen 55 million a year,” Cowherd said on The Herd.
Cowherd didn’t stop with Purdy.
In the same segment, he took aim at Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who is currently among the top-paid players at the position.
“And I’m not saying Brock is the only quarterback I think is overpaid. It does appear that Trevor Lawrence is overpaid,” Cowherd added.
Despite the criticism, the 49ers front office appears determined to avoid the kind of contract drama that has plagued their past offseasons.
General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have moved swiftly this year to secure the team’s core pieces ahead of training camp.
Shortly after finalizing Purdy’s extension, San Francisco announced another major move: a three-year, $63 million extension for All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, including $56 million guaranteed – making him the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL.
The team has also taken other steps to shape its roster, including trading wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders in exchange for a fifth-round pick and extending tight end George Kittle.
The swift resolutions mark a significant shift from the drawn-out negotiations that dominated recent summers.
With their stars locked in and quarterback drama off the table, the 49ers head into the 2025 season with stability, depth, and Super Bowl aspirations – though not without some scrutiny over just how much they’re paying to keep their title window open.
What are your thoughts on Cowherd’s comments? … Do you think the 49ers overpaid for Purdy???
