Brock Purdy is a rich man. He's now making $265 million, with $181 million guaranteed. He's now the seventh-highest paid player in the league. With that type of money to his name, the expectations are going to be higher than ever. The former Mr. Irrelevant has gone from the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to a Pro Bowl-caliber, Super Bowl starting quarterback.
The debate around his contract has many wondering if Purdy is "that guy", and there's reason to have some doubts. He's had Pro Bowl talent around him at nearly all times with George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Christian McCaffrey, but now that seemingly has all changed. Kittle is still there, but Aiyuk and McCaffrey have been dealing with injuries that may limit them in 2025, while Samuel is now a member of the Washington Commanders.
This is setting the stage for Purdy in 2025. A depleted offense and an aging offensive line can spell doom and gloom for a quarterback, but a truly great talent can make the most out of any situation. In fact, he can elevate the talent around him to make them look better than they are. The type of talent who can do that is rare, like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Patrick Mahomes, to name a few. They all have Super Bowl titles to their names, and all of them dragged their teams to a Super Bowl multiple times.
Purdy hasn't dragged a team to a Super Bowl win. He'll have every chance in 2025, but he'll be able to silence a lot of critics even if he doesn't win a Super Bowl.
We saw in 2024 that he was forcing more passes, holding onto the ball for just a half-second longer than needed, and trying to make plays happen that just aren't there. It may not be the most glamorous claim, but if Purdy is going to prove his critics wrong, he just has to take what's given to him more often and capitalize on opportunities as they come. If he can keep mistakes down while improving the team's overall production, no one will have any doubts that Purdy can be that guy. Especially with so much uncertainty at key positions around him.
Purdy can't hold onto the ball for as long or force as many bad passes. Yes, the talent is going to be a bit different in 2025 than it has been in 2024 and other years, but there's still talent there. Kittle is still the best, or one of the best, tight ends in the league. Ricky Pearsall could be a great wide receiver for the team and just another great find for the 49ers in the later rounds of the NFL Draft.
The team made some late-round picks to help fortify the skilled positions and the offensive line, while also eying some key free agents that should be able to help Purdy succeed in the Niners' system.
It won't be easy to live up to the lofty contract Purdy was given, but if he can be a bit more patient and not so frenetic with the ball, the 49ers can limit mistakes and improve the offense considerably. Only time will tell if that's what happens.