How 49ers' Brock Purdy wanted to improve after signing extension

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy claims he still has a chip on his shoulder despite receiving a five-year, $265M contract extension that included $181M in guarantees and a no-trade clause this spring. 

ESPN's Nick Wagoner wrote Thursday how Purdy "spent the summer improving — mainly working on his mobility and getting the ball out quicker — while continuing to focus on his growth as a leader" after the 25-year-old signed his massive deal. 

"Referring to himself as 'more of a stiff quarterback,' Purdy wanted to work on his ability to maneuver in the pocket while also increasing the variety of arm angles he can throw from on the move," Wagoner explained. "He has also honed in on his timing in hopes of getting the ball out in rhythm more frequently. In 2024, Purdy's average time to throw was 2.91 seconds, the sixth slowest in the NFL. It was part of a dip in overall production in which Purdy went from leading the league in QBR in 2023 (73.4) and throwing for 31 touchdowns to a 67.9 QBR (seventh in the NFL) with 20 touchdowns."

Purdy became a Most Valuable Player Award finalist in 2023 before guiding the 49ers to Super Bowl LVIII. However, he, tight end George Kittle, running back Christian McCaffrey, left tackle Trent Williams and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk all missed time last season due to injuries. The fact that Purdy couldn't prevent the 49ers from falling to 6-11 in 2024 is one reason some said the team overpaid him.

As for Purdy's "growth as a leader," Wagoner noted how the signal-caller offered "gratitude and encouragement" to fullback Kyle Juszczyk  after the 49ers released him in March. Juszczyk previously said he endured "the worst three days of [his] life" up until the club re-signed him.

"It just meant a lot for him to give me a call and go out of his way and just impart how he felt about me as a player, as a person," Juszczyk told Wagoner about his chat with Purdy. "I really, really appreciated that. But Brock really is always the same, even with the $53M contract a year, and now he's got a kid. H e literally is the same guy every day. It's crazy."

The 49ers hope Purdy will be better as an on-the-field contributor now that he's one of the league's highest-paid players. As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the 49ers, Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers tied for third among the betting favorites at +950 odds to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LX. 

San Francisco opens the upcoming season at the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 7.