San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy recently went from “Mr. Irrelevant” to one of the top-five highest-paid signal-callers in the league with his new extension. The 49ers gave Purdy a new five-year, $265 million contract.
The amount shocked many, especially considering the 49ers didn’t select Purdy last in the 2022 NFL Draft with the plan of pinning their hopes on him. They had already drafted Trey Lance the year before with the third overall pick.
Lance started as Jimmy Garoppolo’s backup but was called into action several times due to injuries. He was named the starter for 2022 but suffered a season-ending injury during their second game. Eventually, Purdy was named the new starter and has been there ever since.
NFL Insider Has Harsh Words for the 49ers Over Brock Purdy’s New Contract
NFL show host and analyst Colin Cowherd recently discussed Purdy’s massive extension on his podcast, “The Herd with Colin Cowherd.”
Cowherd said he is willing to pay quarterbacks $50-55 million a year if they can carry their team or are the true leaders of their offense.
He cited the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson. Their whole team is solid; however, they can’t seem to score when Jackson is injured. Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick was unbeatable when Tom Brady was the signal-caller, but they couldn’t do much after he left.
“Jimmy Garoppolo got this roster to a Super Bowl,” Cowherd said. “So, my take is I like quarterbacks who initiate advantage, not benefit mostly from it.”
Cowherd said that the NFL must operate like Hollywood. Director Steven Spielberg and his crews fill theatres and make millions. Many actors, including some very talented ones, benefit from working for him. Like a movie budget, Cowherd noted that teams also have a budget, and contracts must make sense.
"I'm willing to pay $50-55 million a year to quarterbacks that lead their teams or are the offense… I think a lot of people can drive this 49ers car."@ColinCowherd thinks Brock Purdy's new deal should have been closer to Baker Mayfield than Josh Allen. pic.twitter.com/WA6u4Ftmwl
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd)
“I think Brock Purdy tends to be closer in talent to a Baker Mayfield, $35 million a year, than Josh Allen, $55 million a year,” Cowherd added. He said Trevor Lawrence, Dak Prescott, and Tua Tagovailoa are among the other overpaid quarterbacks.
Patrick Mahomes is at the top of the quarterback salary pile, followed by Josh Allen, which makes sense. However, Lawrence comes in third at $275 million. Jackson, one of the best in the league in 2024, is making less than Purdy.
“Last year, there was a great moment for people to judge Brock Purdy,” Cowherd said, noting the team’s significant injuries. “How did he do? He was 1-6 against playoff teams. I think a lot of people can drive this 49er car; Garoppolo drove it to the Super Bowl.”
While the 49ers suffered injuries at nearly every level, it is an interesting criticism of Purdy. It might be true that he could not carry his team across the finish line, but PFSN gave him a B+ grade for the season in their QB+ metric. That was the worst QB+ of his career.
Now that Purdy has gotten his big contract, the 49ers have to make sure they fill all the holes on their roster because all eyes will be on him to see if he earns his keep.
