The world laughed when Brock Purdy was called “Mr. Irrelevant” in 2022. Now, seems like the joke’s on everyone else. The San Francisco 49ers’ quiet killer has already made the NFL pay attention. And more significantly, he has forced the front office to open the checkbook. He has a 23-13 record, a Super Bowl run, and a top-tier passer rating. But still, the most significant extension of them is pending as the 49ers give out massive extensions to George Kittle and company.

They re-signed fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Gave tight end Luke Farrell and backup quarterback Mac Jones new contracts. And made George Kittle the highest-paid tight end in NFL history with a four-year, $76.4 million deal. However, the biggest domino remains untouched. What’s the hold-up, then? The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel may have just provided us with the clearest window into the 49ers and Purdy’s camp’s current position.

Daniel got right to the point in a recent episode of their show, The Scoop City: “Will Brock Purdy’s deal be done by training camp?” Russini didn’t hesitate. “That is the most common question that we received.” Then she emphasised that everything she has heard suggests a seamless, drama-free process, saying, “I think Brock Purdy is going to have a deal before training camp starts. I feel really good saying that here. You know, in May, knowing that things are just moving in a really good direction.” Why isn’t it finished yet, if everything is going smoothly?

Then Chase went a step further and posed the million-dollar question, or rather, the multi-million-dollar question: “Why they haven’t got it done? Is it more the years and the guaranteed money? Because that’s what we talk about a lot, or do you think it’s the average per year that may be holding it up?”

Russini explained, “I always felt like the years were set. Like, they feel good about that. I think it’s more the per-year salary.” That’s the main point. The term of the deal has apparently been agreed upon by both parties. But the critical number that distinguishes ‘very good‘ from ‘elite,’ the Average Per Year (APY), is still up for negotiation. This isn’t a heated standoff, though. Russini thinks that Purdy’s team has been strategic from the beginning. There’s no high-stakes shouting match about $60 million vs $50 million—just careful maneuvering.

“I think Brock Purdy’s agent is really smart the way he’s approaching this, and I think the 49ers understand what they have,” Russini said. Adding that San Francisco is attempting to strike a balance between Purdy’s value and the need to pay other important players on the team. So, the transaction is on the horizon. Finding the sweet spot is all that is required. And for the eagerly awaiting fans? “I feel good, that’s a good way to start,” Russini said. The quiet negotiations won’t stay quiet for long, because when it gets done, it’ll be loud. Very loud.

Brock Purdy to join NFL’s $50 million club?

Purdy, who currently has a rookie contract for only $3.7 million, is about to become one of the NFL’s wealthiest players. “It now seems like a matter of when, not if, Purdy gets paid,” a league source recently told Mike Jones of The Athletic. According to rumours, he may earn about $50 million a season. This will rank him among the top 10 highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL. Right behind players like Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts.

Purdy would be the 11th quarterback with an AAV of $50M+ if he is signed at that price. Given that he has guided the 49ers to consecutive NFC titles and a trip to the Super Bowl, on a rookie salary, he has earned it. However, Purdy has been quiet and consistent. In contrast to many celebrities who allow contract rumours to dominate their offseason efforts. He has avoided every headline, smiled for every camera, and attended every voluntary workout. His actions say it all: let the play—and the pay—do the talking.

And as rumours spread that Purdy’s team first proposed a $60 million target before settling on something closer to $50 million. It’s evident that the quiet isn’t an indication of worry, but maybe it’s the quiet before a financial storm. So, the 49ers have identified their franchise quarterback. They simply need to pay him now.