The San Francisco 49ers are inching closer to securing quarterback Brock Purdy with a long-term contract extension, a move that could redefine their financial and competitive landscape. NFL insider Mike Florio, appearing on “The Rich Eisen Show” on May 5, 2025, shed light on the negotiations, suggesting that recent developments—like the 49ers’ four-year, $76.4 million extension for tight end George Kittle—offer clues about Purdy’s looming deal. With general manager John Lynch calling talks “really good” and “positive” on the “Chris Simms Unbuttoned” podcast, per Pro Football Talk’s Myles Simmons, the 49ers appear eager to lock in their 25-year-old star before organized team activities (OTAs) begin on May 27. Let’s break down the latest on Purdy’s contract, what it might look like, and why the clock’s ticking for San Francisco to keep their franchise QB happy.
Purdy, the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, is entering the last year of his rookie deal, a bargain at $1.1 million in 2025. His rise from “Mr. Irrelevant” to Pro Bowl quarterback has been meteoric: 13-4 in 2023, 11-6 in 2024, and a 2023 NFC Championship Game appearance, with 9,033 passing yards, 62 touchdowns, and a 102.4 passer rating over 43 starts. Despite a 2024 season marred by a shoulder injury (missing four games) and a 9-8 record, Purdy’s 4,280 yards, 31 TDs, and 68.7% completion rate kept him among the NFL’s elite. The Athletic’s Mike Jones reported on May 5 that Purdy’s extension could average $50 million per year, while Florio pegged it at $55.1 million annually, trailing only Dak Prescott’s $60 million AAV with Dallas, per Spotrac. Such a deal would place Purdy above QBs like Jared Goff ($53 million) and Trevor Lawrence ($55 million), reflecting his value to a 49ers offense that ranked third in points (28.4 per game) in 2024.
Florio’s analysis, tied to Kittle’s extension ($40 million guaranteed), suggests a structure that balances big money with flexibility. “It’s probably going to be a two-year commitment for a lot of money,” he told Eisen, per 49ers WebZone’s David Bonilla. “Year three, maybe partially guaranteed, maybe a way to unlock more guarantees for year three.” This tracks with NFL trends—outside rookie deals, no quarterback gets more than three years fully guaranteed. A projected four-year, $220.4 million deal ($55.1 million AAV) might include $110 million guaranteed at signing (covering 2025-26), with $30 million in rolling guarantees for 2027 and a $60.4 million signing bonus spread over five years for cap relief. This would dwarf Purdy’s current $3.7 million four-year rookie contract but align with San Francisco’s cap strategy, with $66.8 million available in 2025, per Over The Cap, before re-signing stars like Dre Greenlaw.
Lynch’s comments on the Simms podcast signal urgency. “We’ve had really good discussions, positive discussions,” he said, adding he hopes for a deal “sooner rather than later.” The 49ers’ offseason moves—re-signing Kittle, extending left tackle Trent Williams (three years, $82.7 million), and drafting USC wideout Zachariah Branch—show they’re building around Purdy. But with OTAs looming, Florio warned that Purdy should skip all snaps starting May 27 if no extension is signed, citing injury risk. “He’s got all the leverage,” Florio said, noting Purdy’s participation in voluntary workouts but urging caution until a deal’s done. A holdout seems unlikely—Purdy’s been at the facility, working with Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel—but Lynch likely wants this wrapped before Memorial Day to avoid distractions.
The 49ers’ roster, with six All-Pros (McCaffrey, Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Fred Warner, Charvarius Ward, Kyle Juszczyk) and a top-10 defense (17.5 points allowed per game in 2024), is built to contend. Purdy’s 2024 stats—12.1 yards per completion (second in the NFL), 7.8% TD rate—thrived in Kyle Shanahan’s scheme, but his 11 interceptions and 3-5 record in one-score games raised questions. Still, his 2023 playoff run (66.7% completion, 519 yards, two TDs in two games) and 1.9% sack rate (best among starters) prove he’s no fluke. A $55 million AAV would eat 19.6% of the 2025 cap ($280.3 million projected), forcing tough choices on Aiyuk ($14.1 million cap hit) or Nick Bosa ($34.1 million). Cutting veterans like Javon Hargrave could free $12 million, but Shanahan’s play-calling and Purdy’s quick reads lessen the need for a massive O-line investment.
The urgency isn’t just financial—it’s about momentum. The 49ers’ Super Bowl LVIII loss to Kansas City (25-22 in overtime) and 2024 wild-card exit to Green Bay (24-21) stung, but Purdy’s 0.62 EPA per dropback (fourth in the NFL) kept them competitive. If he’s unsigned by OTAs, whispers of a holdout could disrupt a team that’s 26-10 with him as starter. Comparables like Joe Burrow (five years, $275 million, $55 million AAV) and Justin Herbert (five years, $262.5 million, $52.5 million AAV) got deals before their fourth year, and Purdy’s camp, led by agent Ryan Tollner, knows his 17.4% win contribution (per PFF) justifies top-tier pay. The 49ers’ $23.3 million in 2026 cap space means backloading guarantees, possibly with void years, to keep flexibility.
For 49ers fans, Purdy’s extension is a no-brainer but a tightrope. His 2.1% interception rate and 9.1 yards per attempt in 2024 show he’s a system fit who elevates Shanahan’s offense, but paying him $55 million annually could strain a roster with 12 players over $10 million in cap hits. Lynch’s “sooner rather than later” timeline suggests a deal by mid-May, likely a four-year pact with $140 million in practical guarantees. If Purdy holds out, rookie Jake Haener or practice-squad arm Brandon Allen would take OTA reps, a worst-case scenario for a team eyeing a Super Bowl. With Kittle locked in and Purdy’s talks heating up, San Francisco’s betting on its young QB to lead them back to glory. Time’s ticking, but the 49ers and their golden arm are ready to cash in.
