Brock Purdy earned the title Mr. Irrelevant when the 49ers selected him with the 262nd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. But he quickly shed that label when he led the team to a 21–13 victory over the Seahawks in a Week 15 game, throwing for 217 yards and two touchdowns. Head coach Kyle Shanahan was blown away. “He’s definitely the most poised rookie I’ve ever had. He’s been like that since he’s gotten here,” Shanahan said in amazement.

Expectations rose dramatically from that point on. In 2023, Purdy led the team to Super Bowl LVIII but ultimately lost to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. However, the 49ers failed to qualify for the playoffs the following year, and uncertainty now surrounds their 2025 outlook.

On the May 16 episode of The Colin Cowherd Podcast, host Colin Cowherd asked guest John Middlekauff about the path forward for the franchise. Middlekauff initially praised Purdy, noting that he had taken the team to the Super Bowl and deserved recognition. Still, he raised concerns about the financial implications: “My issue is, like, that money’s coming—like, he’s getting the contract. Let’s just say, conservatively, fifty million a year. Kyle’s one of the highest-paid coaches, making somewhere between $15 and $18 million a year.” That’s where many fans believe the 49ers may be overspending.

The team has already traded wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Commanders and shipped running back Jordan Mason to the Vikings. Middlekauff added, “If I’m paying my head coach and my quarterback close to $70 million a year at minimum, I don’t care who else is on the team—because this roster is not as good as it was a couple of years ago. I need double-digit wins.”

Let’s see his numbers. Since Brock Purdy arrived in 2022, the 49ers have qualified for the playoffs with a double-digit record (13-4 in 2022 and 12-5 in 2023). However, Kyle Shanahan is not the one who sits on the boundary. Overall, the Niners have been in the playoffs 4 of 8 seasons with the head coach. All those seasons were double-digit wins. When they couldn’t, they failed by double-digit losses.

Being a veteran coach now, Shanahan also feels the pressure of fans’ expectations. He will be hoping for the quarterback to defy all odds this year, after they signed a record-breaking contract.

Brock Purdy signs mammoth contract extension

A few days ago, Rams WR Puka Nacua and former WR Julian Edelman revealed their stance about Mr. Irrelevant’s contract extension. They said that it could be in the mid-40s. However, the 49ers believed in his talent. Owner Jed York and HC Kyle Shanahan often iterated that they want to keep him.

In May, they handed their QB a big break by signing a five-year, $265 million contract extension, through the 2030 season, with $181 million guaranteed money. This made him the seventh-highest average annual salary among NFL quarterbacks at $53 million per year. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Brock Purdy will earn $165.05 million in the first three years of the deal. SI’s Albert Breer reported it to be $215 million over the first four years. He gained confidence with his performance.

In 2024, 49ers key players like RB Christian McCaffrey and WR Brandon Aiyuk were injured. But Brock Purdy remained confident. He finished the 2024 season with 3,864 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. His rushing game was also dominant, with a career-high 323 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns. In his first three seasons, Purdy has 9,518 passing yards, 64 touchdowns, and a 67.5% completion rate with a 23–13 record.

The contract will secure their quarterback, who has shown poise, accuracy, and resilience under pressure. The expectations are clear: to continue his upward trajectory and guide the 49ers to success. They believe he is well-prepared to meet the challenges.