The San Francisco 49ers missed the playoffs this past season with a disappointing 6-11 record. The team dealt with injuries to several key players and is bracing for a big NFL offseason to position itself among contenders next season.
Quarterback Brock Purdy is looking for a contract extension, but the negotiations will be tough for both parties since he is coming off the worst season of his career. 49ers insider Tim Kawakami recently provided an update on the quarterback’s contract situation and what could transpire in the coming months.
Brock Purdy’s Contract Could Be Different From Other Star QBs
Kawakami mentioned that the 49ers and Purdy are expected to reach an agreement in the offseason. However, the timing will be important, and both parties wouldn’t want to extend the saga until organized team activities.
Last year, San Francisco came close to trading wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk as negotiations took longer than expected, and he looked rusty on the field before suffering a season-ending injury. Purdy is critical to the 49ers’ success, and the team would want him ready in Week 1 with no contract issues lingering on his mind.
Per Kawakami, Purdy’s deal framework could be very different from the contracts of other quarterbacks of the same caliber. The 49ers could be looking for a short-term deal with less guaranteed money, which would give the franchise the flexibility to move on from him if things continue to trend in the wrong direction.
Purdy would certainly not be happy with such a deal, but he has only himself to blame. If he had had a better season, San Francisco may have offered him a deal north of $50 million annually, but since he struggled without his supporting cast, the team has to be careful before investing its future in him.
In 15 games this past season, Purdy threw for 3,864 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, completing 65.9% of his throws with a passer rating of 96.1. The completion percentage and passer rating numbers were career lows. The 25-year-old also threw a career-high number of interceptions while missing two games.
Purdy also suffered an injury in Week 17, so it’s also a concern for the 49ers, as it was the quarterback’s second injury in his throwing arm.
49ers Could Lose Several Key Players in Offseason
Not only do the 49ers have to strike a new deal with their quarterback, but they also have to get ready to replace some key players they could potentially lose in free agency, with safety Talanoa Hufanga, running back Jordan Mason, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, and cornerback Charvarius Ward as a few players San Francisco may see walk.
The 49ers are projected to have $50.35 million in cap space, and the franchise will likely prioritize re-signing Greenlaw to a long-term deal. He is the heart and soul of San Francisco’s defense, and the team struggled considerably in his absence.
With Robert Saleh back as the team’s defensive coordinator, it will be important to keep their best players. Since Ward is unlikely to re-sign with the 49ers as he wants a fresh start in a new city, the team should try their best to retain Hufanga so that their secondary doesn’t get worse.
The 49ers also have the 11th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and it will be crucial for the team to find the right player to extend their Super Bowl window.