Negotiations with Brock Purdy have officially started.
Last week at the Combine, general manager John Lynch stated that talks with Purdy were still in the “early stages.” Now, NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reports that the 49ers have presented Purdy with an offer.
La Canfora mentions, “It’s very on-brand for the 49ers to play hardball with Purdy. Starting offers at $45M a year is something.”
First off, credit to La Canfora for breaking the news ahead of everyone else. However, I disagree with his take on the offer.
The 49ers are not offering Purdy a lowball deal. While Purdy could likely command more than $45 million annually on the open market, he is currently under contract for $5 million this season. Additionally, the 49ers have the option to franchise tag him for $41 million in 2026 and $51 million in 2027.
That would total three years, $97 million, averaging about $32 million per year.
Given that context, offering him $45 million per season is actually a generous deal. Anything higher would be unwise and likely would hinder the 49ers’ chances of winning a Super Bowl.
If Purdy insists on a better offer, the 49ers can always trade him for a first-round pick and sign a cheaper quarterback like Sam Darnold or Aaron Rodgers, or even draft a new quarterback.
The 49ers have flexibility here. They should stand firm with their offer to Purdy and tell him to either accept it or move on. If he refuses, they should consider trading him right away.
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