The San Francisco 49ers are facing a pivotal decision as they evaluate how much quarterback Brock Purdy is worth. Now eligible for a contract extension, Purdy's future salary has become a hot topic of debate. Critics argue that his recent dip in production this season has lowered his value. Many have long contended that Purdy's success isn't due to his individual talent but rather the exceptional roster the 49ers have built around him.
Despite the skepticism, Purdy's contributions to the team's success are hard to ignore. He has led the 49ers to two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance in just three NFL seasons. Aside from an injury-plagued 2024 season, the 49ers have flourished with Purdy at the helm. And the quarterback market is the quarterback market, which can get expensive.
Right now, the top of the quarterback market has Dak Prescott earning an average annual salary of $60 million—a figure that hasn't translated into success for the Dallas Cowboys.
Former NFL quarterback and current analyst Chris Simms believes Purdy's value falls far below the league's top-tier salaries. Speaking on Pro Football Talk Live, Simms argued that the 49ers shouldn't overextend themselves financially for Purdy, especially considering the team's significant spending on other veteran stars.
"When it comes to the Brock Purdy conversation, I would pay him nowhere near market money," Simms said. "Nowhere near."
Simms cited quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as a cautionary example, declaring that the Miami Dolphins overpaid for a player he believes wouldn't have commanded a similar deal elsewhere. Tagovailoa is currently averaging $53.1 million annually.
"Well, with the 49ers, Brock Purdy is a good quarterback, certainly," Simms continued. "But I think a lot of quarterbacks are going to San Francisco and looking pretty good.
"He's what? A top-20ish quarterback in football? Top 20. And to the point of where his contract is and what he's made to this moment, if I'm the 49ers, I'm offering like $30 million. I'm offering $25 [million].
"I'm going, 'Go ahead, tell me who else out there is going to give you that money and make you the starting quarterback somewhere?'"
On Wednesday, general manager John Lynch reaffirmed his confidence in Brock Purdy, stating, "Listen, I think what we know about Brock is that he's our guy. We have interest in Brock being around here for a long, long time. He's done so much for our organization."
Simms also compared Purdy to Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is earning an average of $33.3 million per season. Simms believes Mayfield is the more talented player and sees no justification for Purdy earning a higher salary.
"At some point, one of these teams is going to have to go, 'Just because he's our quarterback doesn't mean we have to make him one of the five highest-paid guys in all of football,'" Simms said. "That's insane. It's ruining teams. There's only a few short-list guys that should be in that category."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan, like Lynch, voiced strong support for Purdy, praising his leadership and performance.
"Brock is the leader of our team. I've loved these three years with Brock," Shanahan said. "I plan on being with Brock here the whole time I'm here. Brock's been a stud. He's a guy I've got a lot of confidence in, just as a human. But it starts with what he's done on the field these last two and a half years.
"And we're capable of winning a Super Bowl with him. We just almost did. And I know he's capable of getting the Niners a Super Bowl in the future."