Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has grown into the face of the NFL and has enjoyed plenty of championship success. Throughout his tenure in Kansas City, the Chiefs have used a variety of strategies to build the roster around him.
While San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy doesn’t quite have the accolades that Mahomes does just yet, he is off to an impressive start in the NFL. Purdy was a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, which has allowed the 49ers to splurge on talent around him to take advantage of his shockingly low salary.
Both Mahomes and Purdy have enjoyed plenty of success in the NFL, yet their teams have used drastically different strategies to build around them, proving that there is more than just one way to win in today’s high-priced quarterback market.
Brock Purdy and Patrick Mahomes’ Contracts Compared
In 2020, the Chiefs shocked the NFL world by signing Mahomes to the largest contract in sports history. Mahomes signed a 10-year, $503 million contract extension to remain in Kansas City, which included $477 million in guarantee mechanisms.
While Mahomes’ contract was considered an anomaly in 2020, the timing of the deal has actually significantly benefitted the Chiefs. Mahomes is currently the 13th highest-paid QB in the NFL, as QBs continue to sign massive deals and reset the market each season.
In 2022, the 49ers selected Purdy with the No. 262 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, earning him the notorious label of “Mr. Irrelevant.” Purdy signed a four-year, $3.7 million contract with the 49ers, including just $77,008 guaranteed at signing, per Spotrac.
Despite his embarrassing title, Purdy’s success in the NFL to start his career has been anything but irrelevant. Purdy has an overall record of 20-7 as San Francisco’s starting QB as of Week 6, 2024, which has allowed the team to build around his absurdly low salary.
Breaking Down Purdy and Mahomes’ Stats So Far
There is no denying that Mahomes will go down as one of the greatest QBs in NFL history. Yet there is an argument to be made that, since Purdy was named San Francisco’s starting QB in 2022, he has played like one of the best QBs in the NFL during that time.
Purdy has the highest passer rating (108.9) among all QBs since 2022, according to TruMedia. Purdy also has the second-highest EPA per dropback (0.22) since 2022, trailing only Washington Commanders rookie QB Jayden Daniels (0.28).
According to the PFN Insights QB+ Metric, Purdy has the second-highest grade among all veteran QBs in 2024. Purdy’s grade of B+ (72.8) only trails Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is also a two-time NFL MVP.
Similar to Purdy, Mahomes has played at an elite level since being named starting QB of the Chiefs in 2018. Since being named the starter in Kansas City, Mahomes has the fourth-highest passer rating (103.1) in the NFL. He is also fourth in EPA per dropback (0.21).
Yet, unlike Purdy, Mahomes has played at a surprisingly underwhelming level in 2024. According to the PFN Insights QB+ Metric, Mahomes’ grade of B- (60.3) is 12th among all starting QBs.
While the Chiefs have certainly dealt with plenty of injuries at wide receiver in 2024, Mahomes is expected to elevate the talent around him to an elite level given his success in the NFL. Despite his recent struggles, Mahomes is an all-time great QB who has already put together a Hall of Fame-worthy résumé. He is a two-time NFL MVP, yet his postseason success is what sets him apart from other QBs in league history.
How Many Super Bowls Has Mahomes Won?
Mahomes has played in a total of four Super Bowls, winning three times. Mahomes lost in Super Bowl 55 to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In Super Bowl 54, Mahomes led the Chiefs to a comeback victory over the 49ers. Kansas City trailed 20-10, yet they outscored San Francisco 21-0 in the fourth quarter to win in convincing fashion. Mahomes completed 26 of 42 passes for 286 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions en route to being named Super Bowl MVP.
In Super Bowl 57, Mahomes was efficient against the Philadelphia Eagles, as the Chiefs overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to win in the final seconds. Mahomes completed 21 of 27 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns, earning the second Super Bowl MVP of his career.
The third Super Bowl victory of his already legendary career may have also been the most impressive. Ironically, Mahomes led the Chiefs to an overtime victory over Purdy and the 49ers in Super Bowl 58.
Mahomes completed 33 of 46 passes for 333 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also added 66 rushing yards, earning Super Bowl MVP honors for the third time in his career.
Has Purdy Ever Won A Super Bowl?
In his first two seasons as the starting QB of the 49ers, Purdy has led San Francisco to four playoff wins. After suffering an elbow injury in a loss against the Eagles in the 2023 NFC Championship Game, Purdy bounced back last season.
Purdy led the 49ers to Super Bowl 58, ultimately falling short against Mahomes and the Chiefs. While San Francisco was certainly in a position to win the big game, Purdy didn’t play his best game.
In Super Bowl 58, Purdy completed 23 of 38 passes for 255 yards and one touchdown. Kansas City’s dominant defense consistently pressured Purdy, which proved costly in the biggest moment of the game.
Purdy was immediately pressured by Chiefs All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones on third down, forcing an incomplete pass and the 49ers had to settle for a field goal in overtime.
Colton McKivitz has one of the best players in the game lined up in front of him and he decides to give him a free rush to Brock Purdy… Sickening pic.twitter.com/9skdBYXzaM
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac)
What Will Purdy’s Next Contract Look Like?
Purdy is under contract for just one more season, as he is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2026. Purdy is scheduled to earn just $1.1 million in 2025, although the 49ers will likely sign the team’s starting QB to a massive contract extension before then.
Given Purdy’s success and elite level of play in San Francisco, he will likely sign one of the largest contracts in NFL history. The QB market is essentially reset with each contract extension that is signed.
Therefore, Purdy’s contract extension could exceed the deal that Dak Prescott most recently signed with the Dallas Cowboys. Prescott signed a four-year, $240 million contract, cementing him as the highest-paid QB in the NFL with an average annual value of $60 million.
Since being named San Francisco’s starting QB in 2022, Purdy has outperformed Prescott and many of the other highest-paid QBs in the NFL. However, given his relatively low level of experience, his contract extension could mirror Jordan Love’s deal with the Green Bay Packers.
Love signed a four-year, $220 million contract after just one season as Green Bay’s full-time starting QB. While Purdy technically has more starting experience than Love, the 49ers could use his deal as a starting point during their contract negotiations.
If the 49ers manage to win Super Bowl 59, Purdy will easily become the NFL’s highest-paid QB and San Francisco will be forced to write him a blank check. Regardless of San Francisco’s success in 2024, it feels like an average annual value of $55 million is the likely starting point for Purdy’s eventual contract extension with the 49ers.