This offseason has been defined by mega-contracts across the NFL. Myles Garrett got his four-year, $160 million deal with Cleveland. It was briefly the highest AAV for a non-QB in NFL history before Ja’Marr Chase topped it with a $161 million deal for the same period. The Raiders locked in AJ Cole as the highest-paid punter at $15.8 million over four years. The latest mega deal came from Santa Clara—when the San Francisco 49ers handed Brock Purdy a five-year, $265 million extension, averaging $53 million per season.
Insiders expected the 49ers would extend Purdy, but few genuinely expected a number that would land him among the NFL’s top-paid quarterbacks. This came at a time when San Francisco desperately needed some offensive stability. With Deebo Samuel traded and injury-related uncertainty looming over Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk, Purdy held all the leverage. And he knew it. But not everyone is convinced he’s worth that much.
On the May 26 episode of SPEAK, former NFL wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh didn’t hold back. He threw head coach Kyle Shanahan under the bus for the size of the deal, arguing that the quarterback is still more of a product of the system than a franchise-carrying talent. “I would have paid Brock Purdy $47 million a year,” Houshmandzadeh said. “When we need you to carry us, you don’t carry us.”
The criticism came fast, and it wasn’t just about the money. Houshmandzadeh pointed out the inconsistency in Purdy’s play, especially when injuries started to pile up in 2024. The 49ers missed the playoffs despite their loaded roster and high expectations. “If Brock Purdy takes the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl and they win it, then his contract is well worth it. Until he does that, he’s overpaid.”
“If Brock Purdy takes the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl and they win it, then his contract is well worth it. Until he does that, he’s overpaid.” — @housh84 pic.twitter.com/waLTL1YsGk
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) May 27, 2025
That’s the standard now. The Eagles reshaped their entire roster to chase a championship and made it happen. The 49ers haven’t. And with Purdy’s new extension, the margin for error is now razor thin. Fans—usually “The Faithful”—are demanding results. And for the price tag, only a Lombardi Trophy will justify the investment.
Purdy, for his part, called it a blessing to be in this position and said he’s excited to continue leading the team. But the murmurs around his deal haven’t faded. In fact, they’re getting louder—especially after the numbers behind the negotiation leaked.
The hefty number Purdy allegedly asked For
According to reports from 49ersWebZone’s David Bonilla, Brock Purdy ’s initial ask was a staggering $65 million per year. That would have made him the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history, even above Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, who leads the league with a $60 million AAV. Even after settling at $53 million AAV—7th highest in the league—it’s a significant bump for a player who was once dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed the original ask during an appearance on UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio: “Yes, that was his initial asking price, 65 (million). But you know what? Everybody’s initial asking price should be high. That’s how it should be, and his was.” Schefter also shared insight into how other teams viewed the situation. During the negotiations, he reportedly spoke to several front offices. While most acknowledged Purdy’s efficiency and maturity, the tone was clear: “Good for them [49ers].”
In other words, there’s a lingering belief around the league that Purdy is a “system quarterback”—highly effective within Kyle Shanahan’s scheme but not necessarily elite on his own terms. And that perception isn’t going away anytime soon. Brock Purdy now holds the keys to one of the NFL’s most complete rosters, with high-priced talent across the board. Shanahan has been here before—deep playoff runs, a Super Bowl appearance—but still no ring. The 2025 season is no longer about promise. It’s about payoff.
Now the pressure’s on Shanahan and Purdy. Win a championship? The contract becomes a bargain. Fall short again? And suddenly, the conversation shifts from Purdy’s value to Kyle Shanahan’s future. That’s the real cost of $265 million.
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