It’s time to open up the checkbook John Lynch.
The San Francisco 49’ers general manager and franchise as a whole, have a big decision that awaits them in the offseason.
It’s to determine quarterback Brock Purdy’s worth, and how much they are willing to pay the franchise quarterback.
A decision that comes with a myriad of questions and complications.
There’s no doubt that Purdy has outplayed his draft status, as the last pick of the 2022 draft.
Mr. Irrelevant has exceeded all expectations, leading the 49’ers to two NFC championships and one Super Bowl appearance in the last two seasons.
He has been playing on a rookie contract, which has paid him less than $1 million per year, making him the biggest bargain in the entire league.
And it’s not even close.
However, the bargain days are over.
The bill has come due for the 49’ers and Purdy is looking to cash in.
He is eligible for a contract extension after this season ends and all reports have been he is looking to be amongst the highest, if not the highest, paid quarterback in the league.
NFL Network insider, Tom Pelissero, appeared on The Rich Eisen Show, and shared what he is hearing from the Purdy situation.
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“The situation is this,” Pelissero said. “He’s eligible for a contract extension starting at the end of the regular season, which is in all likelihood going to be the end of the season as a whole for the 49ers.
“Next year is a contract year. If a deal is going to get done, I would anticipate it is at the top of the quarterback market for all the reasons I just said.
“That’s Dak’s number. That is $60 million per year.
“Are the 49ers willing to go to that, or are they going to be in a situation where you could have a standoff with your starting quarterback into the offseason?
“Based upon his production, based on the playoff success, I’m sure he feels like he deserves to be paid at the top of the market.”
This is where it gets complicated.
Purdy has no doubt had success, but is that due to him, or is it because Kyle Shanahan has put him in a system where playing quarterback is just being able to play the game manager role?
Is it because Lynch has surrounded Purdy with a cast that includes some of the best in the league, such as Trent Williams, Christian McCaffrey, Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk?
A lot of those guys are on big contracts as well, and will be looking for extensions too.
If Purdy is signed to a contract that is going to pay him north of $60 million annually, then there won’t be enough to go around for everyone.
The room for error considerably shrinks once the quarterback is paid.
And if they’re going to pay him more than Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Josh Allen, then they better hope he can play like them.
So far in his young career, he’s shown that he can’t, especially this year.
Purdy has been a good, sometimes very good quarterback, but he’s never been elite.
With a 6-8 record this season, and injuries having devastated the roster, it’s been on Purdy’s shoulders to lift the team up/
He hasn’t been able to do so.
Which begs the question, has the talented rosters in the past elevated Purdy? If the question to that answer is yes, which it seems to be, then Lynch better be cautious with the amount he’s going to pay Purdy.
Fans seem to be indifferent.
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‘Would be an incredibly horrific move by the 49ers,’ one fan had posted on X.
‘Way too high for a mid QB that can’t win without the dream team around him,’ another fan chimed in.
One fan stood up for Purdy, posting, ‘He earned it on the field. Some may argue it is too much but the 49ers made it to the Super Bowl with Purdy and can do it again but need to get younger in several positions.’
Whatever Lynch and the 49’ers decide to do, the decision will be dissected every which way.