Brock Purdy was just another player in the Cyclone tossing it around Ames, long before he was clutching the 49ers’ Super Bowl window in one hand and a possible $55 million cheque in the other. Despite all of the attention that the NFL is currently giving him, he hasn’t forgotten his roots or the receivers who made those Saturdays special. As he said, “Let’s go Cyclones.”And as Daniel Jeremiah found out, Purdy isn’t shy about putting his Iowa State guys on draft radars. Particularly when one of them could end up being the next Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Brock Purdy recently discussed the future of Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, two wide receiver prospects for Iowa State, in an interview with Daniel Jeremiah. And although he was excited about both, Noel was the one who most interested him. Why? Purdy’s memories of playing with the dynamic slot receiver as a freshman were still fresh, and they left a lasting impression.
“He’s a playmaker, man,” Purdy says, lighting up like a guy who’s watched the tape more than once. “You get the ball in his hands and he’s a speedster… returns kicks, breaks tackles…and makes plays for whoever he’s playing for.” That kind of praise hits different coming from someone who’s gone toe-to-toe with Micah Parsons and come out with a win. And he didn’t stop there, “As a quarterback, that’s the guy that I can trust in the heat of the moment, you know, 3rd downs and trying to convert. That’s the guy I want to be on the field with, is a guy with that kind of mentality.”
Purdy praised Noel’s toughness and explosiveness, but former Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer went one step farther. On a recent Patriots breakdown of 2025 draft prospects, Hoyer compared Noel’s game to none other than Amon-Ra St. Brown. Hoyer did not make the connection lightly; after seeing footage of the Iowa State standout, he referred to Noel as “faster Amon-Ra St. Brown.” Like St. Brown, Noel might not be the biggest receiver, but his physicality, speed, and playmaking ability set him apart.
And Daniel Jeremiah compared Jayden Higgins to Nico Collins, “Jayden Higgins is that prototypical outside X receiver. He’s big, he’s strong. He’s physical. Like I wrote down, Nico Collins when I was watching him. Kind of gave me a little bit of that vibe.” And Brock Purdy didn’t flinch. In fact, he doubled down. “Jayden Higgins, man. With obviously what he can do on the outside. I think he can come in and play in the slot as well and get some really good matchups against safeties and stuff in man coverage. And is really good with getting up for the ball.” So, Purdy sees the big-bodied X receiver not just dominating outside, but lining up in the slot, bullying safeties, and snatching 50/50 balls like an early-career Mike Williams.
And Daniel sees that too, “I don’t think those guys are going to have to wait long. I think both those guys have a real opportunity to go in the top 50 picks. So you’re talking about late 1st round, early 2nd round. I think you got two cyclones gonna hear their names called.” But Purdy wasn’t just throwing compliments — he was throwing trust. His mindset. His maturity. That’s what you want in the huddle, according to Purdy, pointing to Noel’s 90-minute-early grind sessions and slot dominance. It’s not just a reunion wish. It’s a quarterback sending a coded message to front offices: If you want me to thrive, go get me a weapon I already trust.
Brock Purdy’s $55M standoff is Kyle Shanahan’s new offseason reality
The 49ers’ present predicament with their quarterback’s wallet makes that loyalty—that ‘get me my guy’ energy—feel particularly loud. Per multiple reports, San Francisco made a contract offer. And Purdy’s camp? Didn’t respond at all. It was a ‘try again when you’re serious’ statement rather than even a starting point for a negotiation.
According to NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco, the deal is “just sitting out there,” and Purdy hasn’t budged. Not because he’s greedy, but because he’s proven. He wants to live in the Dak Prescott zone: $55 to 58 million annually. And that’s market value in a post-cap-boom NFL, so it’s not crazy. However, the 49ers must strike a balance between building a competitive roster and paying their quarterback. Deebo Samuel has already been let go. Leonard Floyd? Cut. Javon Hargrave? Out. And now, Brandon Aiyuk could be the next.
The idea behind it all? Move Aiyuk, pay Purdy with the $6.1 million that will be available after June 1. But the problem? That barely dents the $55M iceberg. Plus, don’t forget, Aiyuk’s recovering from an ACL tear and coming off a sub-400-yard season. Moving him now is less cap-clearing, more risk-shifting.
But GM John Lynch is attempting to defuse the situation: “We expect fully that Aiyuk will be a part of us moving forward.” Head coach Kyle Shanahan, however, may be secretly formulating a backup plan: reduce weight, centre the team around Purdy, and utilise the draft money to restructure the offence. Perhaps even revisit the Cyclones’ playbook? Because while the contract math is tricky, the message from Purdy is simple: Get me the weapons I trust. Pay me like I’ve earned it. And let’s go win something.
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