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NFL Issues Strong Statement on Brock Purdy After QB Inks Monster Deal With 49ers

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Dible | Last updated May 17, 2025 12:38 AM ET

Not too long ago, former Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy was dubbed as the league's "Mr. Irrelevant" due to his status as literally the last player selected in the 2022 NFL draft.

Three seasons later at the age of 25 and with one year remaining on his rookie contract, Purdy inked a five-year extension worth $265 million total ($53 million annually), which will keep him with the San Francisco 49ers through the 2030 campaign.

Purdy is now tied with Detroit Lions signal caller Jared Goff as the seventh-highest paid QB/player in the NFL. The richest contract in league history, based on annual average salary, still belongs to quarterback Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys at $60 million per season.

San Francisco made a resounding statement with the deal, not only about the franchise's faith in Purdy, but also concerning the lack of availability of quarterbacks who have proven they can win at a high level in the league and/or have the traits necessary to render elite success a reasonable prediction for the future.

The NFL also made a strong statement on Purdy after the 49ers announced the agreement on Friday, May 16.

In just three seasons, Brock Purdy has:

9,518 passing yards
64 passing TDs
4 Playoff Wins
NFC Championship
Pro Bowl

EARNED every penny of that $265M extension pic.twitter.com/pkn1fvfoag
— NFL (@NFL) May 16, 2025

"In just three seasons, Brock Purdy has: 9,518 passing yards; 64 passing TDs; 4 playoff wins; NFC Championship; Pro Bowl," the league posted to its official X account. "EARNED every penny of that $265 million extension ."

The 49ers trimmed a ton of salary over the past year, parting with several starters and big-name players on both sides of the football, in order to clear the salary cap space needed to keep Purdy on the team longterm at such a significant annual figure.

However, the franchise's rebuilding strategy will now be the opposite of what it was during Purdy's early years. Instead of signing established players to big contracts to surround Purdy with talent -- who was incredibly inexpensive, and will remain so in 2025 -- San Francisco must now find young talent in the draft who can play at high levels on rookie deals in order to create a competitive advantage.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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