Big-name NFL players have already signed contract extensions with their current teams this offseason, including Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby and Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.
But nearly a month into the NFL offseason, the San Francisco 49ers still haven’t signed starting quarterback Brock Purdy to an extension, and one NFL insider isn’t so confident they’ll get it done.
ESPN’s Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter said on his podcast Tuesday that he wasn’t convinced the 49ers and the former Iowa State quarterback would get a contract done this offseason.
What did ESPN’s Adam Schefter say about Brock Purdy’s contract?
Schefter outlines a scenario where San Francisco delays his extension for years using the franchise tag, which keeps players on one-year deals at a salary based on that of the top five at their position.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
“I think people forget the fact that if they can’t get a deal done, the Niners simply could have him play this year for $5.1 million, tag him again next year for $41 million, and tag him the year after for $51 million,” Schefter said. “That would be essentially $97 million over the next three years, which is great, but by quarterback standards, it’s not great.”
Heading into the 2024 NFL season, there were 19 quarterbacks with contracts awarding them more than $97 million over at least three years. Last September, quarterback Dak Prescott signed a four-year contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys worth $240 million, averaging $60 million annually.
What is Brock Purdy’s contract with the 49ers?
Purdy initially signed a four-year rookie contract with the 49ers after the 2022 NFL Draft. That contract pays him about $3.7 million over four years, making him one of the lowest-paid quarterbacks. His base salary for the 2024 season was $985,000.
“Brock Purdy probably, or at least his agent probably, would be disappointed to have to play for $97 million over the next three years, but the Niners have his rights,” Schefter said.
Is Brock Purdy a free agent this year?
No, Purdy has one year remaining on his rookie deal, which Schefter pointed out on his podcast.
“They’re going to try to get done a deal, but the deal is not going to be where Brock Purdy is a free agent and he’s on the open market because he’s not,” he said.
Get the Cyclone Insider newsletter in your inbox.
The best stories, videos and photos from Iowa State sports.
Delivery: Mon-Fri More: George Kittle: Brock Purdy is a ‘phenomenal quarterback’ that the 49ers should re-sign
The 49ers will enter the offseason with roughly $34 million in salary cap space, which is 20th out of 32 teams, according to Over the Cap.
“This is a complicated, nuanced deal to get done,” Schefter said. “I believe it’s going to take some time for both sides to work through to see if they can get a deal done this offseason, which isn’t a lock. But the 49ers want to keep him. They want to pay him. But they’re limited in what they actually can do.”
When does NFL free agency start?
NFL free agency officially opens on Wednesday, March 12 at 4 p.m. ET, when the new league year begins. That is when players can sign contracts and finalize all the details.
However, free agency unofficially gets underway on Monday, March 10 at noon ET. The “legal tampering window” opens at that time, meaning teams can begin to negotiate and agree to terms during that period.
Teams can only negotiate with agents during the legal tampering window. Players are barred from visiting teams or engaging in any communication with front offices across the league until the new league year begins. Everything runs through the agents for those 52 hours.