From Mr. Irrelevant to Franchise Star: Brock Purdy’s $265M Payday

Just a few years ago, Brock Purdy was the guy no one expected to make an NFL roster, let alone start. The final pick of the 2022 draft, dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant,” had a long road ahead and a crowded quarterback room to compete with. But fast forward to 2025, and Purdy is not only the face of the San Francisco 49ers—he’s also $265 million richer.

The 49ers and Purdy agreed Friday to a five-year, $265 million extension that includes $181 million in guaranteed money, sources told ESPN. It’s a huge leap for a player who made just $2.6 million total during his first three years in the league. Now? He’ll make more in a single week under his new contract than he did in all three seasons combined.

This isn’t just a feel-good story about a late-round underdog. It’s a franchise-changing commitment from the 49ers to the quarterback they believe can lead them back to a Super Bowl.

The Quarterback Nobody Saw Coming

When Purdy took over in Week 13 of the 2022 season after Jimmy Garoppolo went down, it wasn’t clear what to expect. A backup’s job is usually just to keep the ship afloat. Instead, Purdy took the wheel and started steering the 49ers into serious playoff contention.

He never looked back.

In 42 games since becoming the starter—including playoff appearances—San Francisco has gone 27-15. During that time, Purdy quietly climbed into elite company among NFL quarterbacks. His 9.0 yards per attempt leads the league. He’s fourth in total QBR. And he’s thrown 62 touchdown passes, even while playing through injuries and missing key weapons for long stretches.

This deal isn’t about potential anymore. It’s about performance. And the 49ers believe Purdy’s done more than enough to earn it.

No Drama, Just Business

Contract extensions can get messy—just ask 49ers stars like Nick Bosa or Trent Williams. Their negotiations dragged into training camps and preseason games. Not this time.

Purdy made it clear months ago that he wanted to stay in San Francisco. He didn’t want distractions. He didn’t want to hold out. He just wanted to handle it “the right way.”

That mindset helped both sides come to the table early and get the deal done before summer even started.

“I want to be back with my teammates, working toward something bigger,” Purdy said back in January. “We’ve got a good thing going here, and I want to help the team keep that going. That’s where my head is at.”

The 49ers shared that urgency. GM John Lynch said as early as March that he was confident something would get done. And behind the scenes, real progress was made during draft week.

By mid-May, the ink was drying on the biggest deal of Purdy’s life.

A 2024 Season Full of Challenges

Let’s not sugarcoat it—the 49ers didn’t have the season they were hoping for last year. The team finished 6-11 and missed the playoffs. And Purdy’s numbers dipped compared to his breakout 2023 campaign.

But the context tells the full story.

Purdy spent most of the year throwing to backups. Christian McCaffrey battled an Achilles injury. Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Trent Williams all missed chunks of time. That’s half of your top offensive arsenal sitting out at various points.

Even so, Purdy still put up 3,864 passing yards and ranked third in the league in yards per attempt. He stayed poised, took care of the football (mostly), and did what he could to keep the offense moving—even in brutal weather games that exposed the team’s lack of depth.

The touchdown-to-interception ratio wasn’t ideal (1.7 to 1), but Purdy was far from the problem.

Why the Deal Makes Sense Now

With other elite quarterbacks signing $55–60 million-a-year deals, locking in Purdy at $53 million annually might actually be smart business. The 49ers get cost certainty at the most important position in football. And they don’t have to worry about contract distractions come training camp.

This also allows them to shift focus to other roster priorities. Brandon Aiyuk is still due for an extension. Several key defensive players will be looking for raises. But with their quarterback locked in, the front office can breathe easier.

For Purdy, it’s not just about money—it’s about leadership.

“I believe I’m the guy for this team,” he said Friday. “I want to be here. I want to win here. And I want to do whatever it takes to get us to a Super Bowl.”

What This Means for the 49ers Going Forward

This deal sends a message, plain and simple: The 49ers are betting on continuity. In a league where teams chase the next hot QB every year, San Francisco is going all-in on the guy they’ve got.

And frankly, he’s earned it.

Purdy isn’t flashy. He’s not the loudest guy in the room. He doesn’t have the biggest arm or the speediest feet. But he reads the field well, makes smart decisions, and has shown the kind of resilience you can build a franchise around.

Just a few years ago, he was the unknown rookie with a funny title—“Mr. Irrelevant.” Today, he’s one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL.

What changed? He proved he belonged. Over and over again.

Source: Sources: Brock Purdy, 49ers agree to 5-year, $265M deal

Bonus News: 49ers Add Kicker Competition

While Purdy was making headlines, the 49ers also made a quieter but still important move: signing veteran kicker Greg Joseph to a one-year deal.

Last year’s third-round pick Jake Moody had an inconsistent season, finishing just 11-of-20 after coming back from a high ankle sprain. The team hopes the competition will bring out the best in both kickers—or at least stabilize a position that burned them in tight games last year.

Final Word: This Is Just the Beginning

The ink is still fresh, but this deal is about much more than money. It’s a vote of confidence. It’s a torch passed from Jimmy Garoppolo and all the QBs before him.

Now it’s Purdy’s time to shine.

He’s no longer just the feel-good story. He’s the centerpiece of a proud franchise with a massive fanbase and championship expectations.

No pressure, right?

But if you’ve watched Brock Purdy over the last few seasons, you know pressure doesn’t rattle him. It fuels him.

And now that he’s the 49ers’ $265 million man, we’re all about to see how far he can take them.

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