The San Francisco 49ers begin their offseason program on April 22, and one storyline to watch is whether quarterback Brock Purdy reports to the team. While all activities remain voluntary until June, Purdy doesn't seem like the type to skip offseason preparation, especially following a season in which the 49ers managed just six wins.
San Francisco is working on a contract extension for their fourth-year quarterback, who previously helped guide the team to two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance. Purdy's value has been a subject of heavy debate and remains central to the ongoing negotiations.
Recently, when asked if he considers Purdy a top-10 quarterback, team owner Jed York responded, "I think he is. I think he's great."
However, he added a caveat.
"Especially when you combine him with [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] and you combine him with what we have," York explained.
That comment has sparked discussion, with some interpreting it as York suggesting a significant portion of Purdy's success is due to Shanahan's offensive system and the talent surrounding him—an argument often used by Purdy's harshest critics.
According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, no teams have inquired about Purdy, which she suggests might indicate how the league views the quarterback outside Shanahan's scheme.
"There have not been any teams that have called the San Francisco 49ers to trade for Brock Purdy," Russini said on her podcast, The Scoop. "So that kind of tells you how the rest of the league views him without Kyle Shanahan, perhaps."
Of course, it's also possible teams haven't called because the 49ers have clarified that extending Purdy is a top priority. San Francisco has offloaded significant future cash spending, signaling an expectation that a sizable portion of the salary cap will be allocated to one player—Purdy.
Still, Russini raises the question: "If he is a top-10 quarterback, truly, outside, with Kyle detached from it, how come no teams have called to trade for him?"
She also speculates that Purdy's eventual deal could average around $52 million annually, placing him among the top 10 highest-paid players in the league.
"And remember, too," Russini added, "before they traded three first-round picks for Trey Lance, they wanted Mac Jones. Guess who's on this roster? Mac Jones."
H/t to Grant Cohn of Sports Illustrated for the find.
