49ers have to return to run-centric offense even with $50 million QB

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

49ers have to get back to a run-centric offense even with a $50 million QB

By Felix Johnson | Last updated May 28, 2025 2:32 PM ET

Brock Purdy has surprised everyone many times already in his short career as the 49ers starting quarterback.

He recently signed a five-year, $265 million extension. Despite having similar results thus far, Purdy is better than his predecessor, Jimmy Garoppolo, but there is still clearly something to be desired with the 49ers' offensive attack.

HC Kyle Shanahan may have to return to his roots, even though they are compensating the former Mr. Irrelevant like a top 10 quarterback.

The 49ers were at their absolute best during Purdy's first full season as a starter in 2023. He finished fourth in MVP voting that year, behind teammate Christian McCaffrey and fellow QBs Dak Prescott and Lamar Jackson.

With McCaffrey's injury issues keeping him off the field in 2024, the 49ers were forced to throw the ball at a higher rate than they had before. During their most offensively efficient season, the 49ers were able to become one of the most efficient play-action offenses, gaining 986 yards after faking it to McCaffrey or another back.

When the league's best hybrid back went down in 2024, Purdy's dropback snaps increased as defenses keyed in on his weaknesses hidden by the expansive run game.

The 49ers still ranked in the upper half of the league in DVOA, so the skeleton of what they accomplished was still apparent. Particularly in the way Shanahan built his offense, McCaffrey grew in importance over Purdy, even in the current love affair the NFL has with quarterbacks.

San Francisco's biggest obstacle in its current iteration has been injuries (and the Kansas City Chiefs), and the same is still true with its star running back in 2025.

McCaffrey's injury issues will constantly be associated with his legacy, but they will be attached to Purdy's, too. Without an elite run game to support him, the 49ers quarterback was not as good as the money he was just paid.

Currently, Purdy would be wedged between Jared Goff and Justin Herbert with a $53 million AAV, according to Over the Cap. He is also the only quarterback in the top 10 to start most of the 2024 season and not make the playoffs, aside from Tua Tagovailoa, whose concussion problems have grown infamous.

If the 49ers want to reclaim their success from 2023, then they will likely have to halt what they did in 2024. Much of this potential will hinge on McCaffrey's health, which isn't the most reliable source.

Now that they have paid Purdy and let Deebo Samuel go in a trade to the Commanders, the 49ers have burdened much of their franchise's future on the former last pick of the draft.

Felix Johnson

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