49ers' 2025 hopes ride on Brock Purdy's continued growth

The San Francisco 49ers made a massive commitment to Brock Purdy this offseason, signing the quarterback to a five-year, $265 million contract extension. The deal marked a turning point in the team's roster-building strategy, ushering in a new era centered around their franchise signal-caller.

With reduced salary-cap flexibility, the 49ers now have less money to spend on other positions. While the team managed to retain key cornerstones, such as tight end George Kittle and linebacker Fred Warner, they also had to part ways with several contributors who left for more lucrative deals.

Whether anyone inside the building admits it or not, the pressure on Purdy has increased. The 49ers will now lean more heavily on the 24-year-old to elevate the offense and guide the team through adverse situations. While injuries derailed the 49ers' 2024 campaign, resulting in a disappointing 6-11 finish, Purdy wasn't able to carry the team as it struggled.

ESPN's Dan Graziano believes Purdy's continued development will be key to the 49ers' future success. In fact, it may depend on it.

"The whole plan indicates that they'll be asking even more of Purdy, who has been more than they ever could have expected when they took him with the last pick of the 2022 draft," Graziano wrote. "This roster still has Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Nick Bosa, and Fred Warner, so it's not like it's all on Purdy's shoulders. But this offseason of change is a sign of things to come.

"Those guys won't all be around forever, and the pivot into the future will depend on Purdy's ability to continue to deliver as a high-level franchise QB -- even as the pieces around him shift and change."

Despite the increased expectations, head coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear that Purdy's contract doesn't change what he expects from his quarterback.

"I want him to be the leader he's always been," Shanahan said in May. "There's no worse thing to do than ask people to do something extra just because of their contract. That's when you start making stuff up. Brock's earned his contract, and he's going to earn what he gets going forward."

All eyes will be on Purdy as the 49ers enter a pivotal season, looking to bounce back and reclaim their status as NFL contenders.