Brock Purdy’s bank account might be in for a serious glow-up if one former Dallas Cowboy gets his way. The San Francisco 49ers’ QB has been balling out, proving he’s more than just a feel-good underdog story.
Now, a former Cowboys DE and ESPN personality is calling for the Niners to hand Purdy a bag, and not just any bag, but a $50 million per year kind of bag.
Time for the 49ers to Pay Brock Purdy Like a Franchise QB
Purdy might be on the verge of a massive payday, and former Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears is all in on it. Spears believes the 49ers’ QB should be locked in as the long-term franchise guy and get a contract worthy of his success — something in the $50 million per year range.
Speaking on “ESPN NFL,” Spears shut down the idea that Purdy is just another QB benefiting from Kyle Shanahan’s system.
“We talking about Brock Purdy that went to the Super Bowl. We talking about the one that overcame all the expectations. It took me weeks to really understand how good this kid was at playing the position, anticipation, running this offense to a tee.
And the talk always about, Well, anybody can do this in Kyle Shanahan system, where you a lie, you a damn lie. If you think anybody can do it, he’s shown and proven that he should be the long-term franchise quarterback in San Francisco,” Spears said, emphasizing how Purdy’s anticipation and execution set him apart.
"He's shown and proven that he should be the long-term franchise quarterback in San Francisco."@mspears96 says Brock Purdy has earned a big payday with the 49ers💰 pic.twitter.com/UGXxZplYpr
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 11, 2025
According to Spears, it took him weeks to fully appreciate how good Purdy is at playing the position — something that isn’t just about fitting into a system but excelling within it.
And there’s no denying Purdy’s results.
Spears doubled down on Purdy’s worth, saying the NFL needs to stop debating his price tag. “The most important thing is this too. We reached the day and age in the NFL where we need to stop talking about how much money he is gonna get. He gonna get $50 million now to be structured a different way,” Spears said, noting that while contract structuring may vary, Purdy has earned his bag.
Considering the escalating market, where Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Lamar Jackson all topped $50M annually, it’s not far-fetched for Purdy to join that club soon.
Spears added: “It may be some things that’s built within the contract that may be different from the way some of these other guys are paid, but this is what Brock Purdy has gotten to, this is what he’s earned. And going to a Super Bowl is a lot more than a lot of these quarterbacks that got a quarter of a billion dollars to continue to play has done in their entire careers.”
Bottom line: The 49ers have their guy. And if Spears’ take is any indication, it’s time for the Niners to back up the truck and pay him like one.
49ers Owner Jed York Backs Brock Purdy for the Long Haul
If there was any doubt about Purdy’s future in San Francisco, 49ers owner Jed York just shut it down.
Speaking at a Super Bowl 60 kickoff event, York made it crystal clear: Purdy isn’t just a placeholder. “I know we want Brock to be here for a long time, and we’ll do everything we can to make that work,” he said via AP. Translation: The Niners are ready to back up the truck.
Hard to argue with that.
He went from Mr. Irrelevant to the guy in two seasons, dragging the Niners through QB chaos (remember that Jimmy G–Trey Lance shuffle?). Since taking over in 2022, Purdy’s led the team to two straight NFC title games and a Super Bowl. And his 113.0 passer rating last season is best in the league.
Now, Purdy’s up for a contract extension, and the man’s been working on discount mode — just $870K last season. With QB salaries skyrocketing, don’t be shocked if he joins the $50M-per-year club.