Brock Purdy signed a massive five-year, $265 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers in the spring of 2025, locking in over $177 million guaranteed. But despite that huge commitment, NFL writer Vincent Bonsignore is already hinting at a future without Purdy, suggesting the Niners are a team to watch for a potential Joe Burrow sweepstakes next offseason. Seriously, you read that right.
Purdy’s Big Bucks and Even Bigger Pressure
Let’s be real, the Purdy contract was a statement. He’s only 26 and brings a ton of valuable traits to the field: aggressive, a true playmaker, he avoids sacks, and he’s accurate. At 6’1″ and 220 pounds, he’s not exactly small either. Purdy took the 49ers to the doorstep of a Super Bowl in his first season as a starter, then had them with a halftime lead in the Super Bowl during his first full season. We’ve all seen how injuries hammered the important pieces around him the past two seasons, too.
Yet, Bonsignore believes this is somewhat of a prove-it year for Purdy. And honestly, after getting banged up last season and that catastrophic injury as a rookie, which many, including the source article, believe prevented the Niners from winning a Super Bowl, you can see why the pressure cooker is on.
Joe Burrow: The Unattainable Dream That Might Just Happen
The real kicker here is the idea of Joe Burrow. Bonsignore’s league sources are buzzing, saying San Francisco is a team to watch if Burrow serves the Bengals with “divorce papers.” This isn’t just some random hot take either. It harkens back to when Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch made an earnest run at Matthew Stafford in 2021. If they went that hard for Stafford, some believe they’d go even harder for Burrow.
Look, Burrow’s talent is undeniable. ESPN’s annual rankings had him at No. 4 among quarterbacks, with some even putting him at No. 1. Sure, Burrow is no stranger to injuries himself, missing half of last season, seven games in 2023, and suffering a season-ending left knee injury in 2020. But the talent argument is settled: nobody would argue that Burrow’s talent supersedes Purdy’s. Bonsignore even compares Burrow’s potential situation to Stafford’s patience running out with the Lions, suggesting “ice cracking in Cincinnati” could lead to a trade request if another lost season happens. And if it does, and Purdy and the 49ers “don’t close the deal” this season, then the 49ers become a logical trade partner. The craziest part? Purdy himself could be the focal point of that hypothetical trade, along with “a bunch of draft assets.” Talk about a twist!
So, this season for Purdy isn’t just about winning games, it’s about proving he is THE guy, no questions asked. Otherwise, he risks being the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade that nobody, especially not after that contract, saw coming. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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