FS1’s “Breakfast Ball” host Craig Carton recently suggested the San Francisco 49ers should consider trading starting quarterback Brock Purdy amid the team’s free agency roster purge. General manager John Lynch has emphasized that the 49ers have a strategic plan, including leveraging the upcoming NFL Draft to replenish their roster.
TV Host Suggests 49ers Should Trade Brock Purdy Amid Roster Rebuild
On a recent episode of “Breakfast Ball,” Carton questioned whether the 49ers should commit to a long-term deal with Purdy given the team’s significant roster turnover.
“I’m looking at the list of guys that were in the Super Bowl with them, and then I look at the fact that they have lost 17 free agents this offseason,” Carton said. “When you do that … it’s called ‘Rebuilding.'”
“The question is: If you give Brock Purdy the mega contract … who’s he throwing the ball to? Can you count on [Christian] McCaffrey to be healthy?” Carton said. “How good a coach is Kyle Shanahan when you’ve emptied the cupboard of the majority of talent that we’ve come to know and respect as Super Bowl-worthy?”
“Which is why I think San Fransisco should entertain the notion — dare I say it — of trading Brock Purdy,” Carton proposed. “… If you were willing to give up three first-rounders to go get Trey Lance, what do you think [the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants] will give you for Brock Purdy?”
“I think San Fransisco should entertain the notion… dare I say it… of trading Brock Purdy. If you were willing to give up 3 first round picks for Trey Lance, what do you think other teams will give for Brock Purdy?"@craigcartonlive suggests the 49ers could be rebuilding 👀 pic.twitter.com/l3yJ2XdOJq
— Breakfast Ball (@BrkfstBallOnFS1)
During the 2024 season, Carton’s co-host and three-time Super Bowl champion Mark Schlereth praised Purdy, stating, “Your default mechanism to be a great quarterback has to be from the neck up. … What I see with Brock Purdy is a dude from the neck up who is freakin’ phenomenal.”
“… One of the many reasons [the 49ers] are a Super Bowl contender is because their quarterback plays that way,” Schlereth said. “He gets through progressions and he puts the ball in the hands of his playmakers.”
Why the 49ers’ Roster Reset Is a Necessary Step
The 49ers experienced a significant talent exodus this offseason. San Francisco traded Deebo Samuel Sr. to the Washington Commanders while guard Aaron Banks, Pro Bowl cornerback Chavarius Ward, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, Pro Bowl safety Talanoa Hufanga, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, edge rusher Leonard Floyd, and defensive tackle Maliek Collins all signed with other teams in free agency.
San Francisco leads the league in dead cap hit with more than $77 million going to void years and players no longer on the roster. Samuel accounts for more than 40% of the dead cap, with a hit of $31 million.
Lynch noted that the roster purge was necessary to create financial flexibility for future moves, including re-signing George Kittle and potentially extending Purdy. In 2025, Purdy has a cap hit of approximately $5.3 million, — less than Miami Dolphins backup Zach Wilson, New York Jets backup Tyrod Taylor, and Indianapolis Colts signing Daniel Jones. Purdy is entering the final year of his rookie contract
According to PFSN’s QB+ metric, Purdy ranked No. 7 with a B+ grade. “2022’s Mr. Irrelevant has done everything he can to prove he deserves a big-time deal,” said PFSN analyst Ben Rolfe. “It’s hard to make the case that he doesn’t deserve to be paid like a top-10 quarterback right now.”
The 49ers also finished ninth in PFSN’s Offense+ metric, receiving a B-. “Brock Purdy led the second-best offense in terms of yards per play, trailing only the Ravens. That’s an incredible accomplishment given the injuries he navigated throughout the season,” said PFSN analyst Sterling Xie.
Purdy’s Future: Extension Talks and Trade Speculation
Negotiations for Purdy’s contract extension are in the early stages. Spotrac estimates his market value at nearly $239 million over four years, an average of $59.7 million per year — comparable to deals signed by Jordan Love, Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, and Dak Prescott. Prescott is currently the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL.
Team ownership has expressed a desire to keep Purdy in San Francisco, but the financial implications of his looming extension could put a sizable dent in their efforts to plug holes in the roster.
GM John Lynch Believes NFL Draft Is Key to Rebuilding
The 49ers are well-positioned to address the gaps in their roster through the 2025 NFL Draft — San Francisco currently holds 11 picks. Lynch acknowledged the 49ers’ roster “reset” was bound to happen in 2025 and asserted the NFL Draft will be the primary driver for filling out the roster, according to Mercury News.
PFSN’s most recent mock drafts have the 49ers taking either Texas Longhorns cornerback Jahdae Barron or Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons with their first-round pick. PFSN NFL Draft analyst Jacob Infante, who paired Simmons with San Francisco, believes the Niners will select Iowa Hawkeyes cornerback Darien Porter with the 43rd pick.
While trading Purdy remains speculative, the coming months will be pivotal in determining the franchise’s trajectory as they balance short-term needs with long-term strategic goals.
