SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers and their star quarterback Brock Purdy are aligned in their desire to finalize a long-term contract extension promptly, ideally ahead of the offseason program set to start in mid-April. This mutual goal reflects the organization’s commitment to solidifying its future with Purdy at the helm.
General Manager John Lynch expressed confidence in Purdy’s capabilities and emphasized his importance to the team. He noted, “What we know about Brock is that he’s our guy… We will prioritize this position and give it the attention it deserves,” pointing out the substantial contributions Purdy has made during his time with the 49ers.
Currently, Purdy is approaching the conclusion of a highly favorable contract, having signed as the final pick in the 2022 draft. Over the last three years, he has earned less than $1 million annually, with a slight salary increase anticipated to about $5.2 million in 2025 due to an escalator clause triggered by his Pro Bowl appearance last season. Given Purdy’s exceptional performance on the field, reports suggest he could negotiate a deal that surpasses $50 million per year.
Purdy remarked that he isn’t aiming to shatter salary records, such as the $60 million per year average set by Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott. He expressed a strong desire to remain with the 49ers and underscored the significance of reaching an agreement before the start of offseason activities. “If that’s an opportunity to be able to get that done quick, that’d be great,” he stated, highlighting the importance of continuity as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
Despite facing challenges, including injuries that affected key players like Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk, Purdy finished fourth in the MVP voting during his first full season as a starter. This season, however, his performance suffered, with a nearly 17-point decrease in passer rating to 96.1, while throwing 20 touchdown passes against 12 interceptions. Nonetheless, he embraced his growth as a leader and continued to demonstrate the capability of extending plays, ultimately solidifying his role as the 49ers’ quarterback of the future.
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan expressed his strong support for Purdy, asserting, “Brock’s been a stud… We’re capable of winning a Super Bowl with him. I know he is capable of getting the Niners a Super Bowl in the future.”
In addition to focusing on player contracts, the 49ers have begun reshaping their coaching staff. They recently let go of defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen and special teams coordinator Brian Schneider. Shanahan described the decision to part ways with Sorensen after just one season as difficult but necessary, believing that other candidates could provide a better fit.
While the 49ers have maintained a consistently effective defensive scheme for several years, Shanahan acknowledged the need for adaptability based on personnel changes. He indicated a desire to retain Sorensen in a different capacity if he is interested, potentially in a role similar to his previous special teams position in Jacksonville.
The organization is also looking to promote Klay Kubiak from his role as passing game specialist to offensive coordinator, with Shanahan remaining in the role of play caller. This promotion is strategic, aimed at preventing other teams from luring Kubiak away for coordinator positions.
On the topic of free agency, Lynch mentioned a recent restructuring of defensive tackle Javon Hargrave’s contract, which was designed so the team could consider a post-June 1 cut, allowing them to distribute the associated cap hit over the next two seasons. There remains a possibility of re-signing Hargrave to a more budget-friendly deal if the market is not competitive.
Regarding receiver Deebo Samuel, Lynch assured that there are no plans to move on from him despite a tough season. Meanwhile, Shanahan expressed a desire to retain linebacker Dre Greenlaw, although his future will largely depend on the demands of the free-agent market.
