Is the Impending Brock Purdy Contract Reason for the 49ers Tearing Down the Roster?

Every time an NFL team has to pay their starting quarterback the big bucks, it comes at a cost not just in financial terms but also in terms of a roster makeover. The San Francisco 49ers are currently navigating these rough waters themselves as they are on the cusp of paying Brock Burdy, their quarterback currently on the last year of his rookie deal. 

Purdy is the Mr. Irrelevant from the 2022 draft class, but within no time he made himself more relevant than several players in the league today. Having signed a 4-year deal with the 49ers worth just about $3.7 million in 2022, Purdy is now set to dwarf that amount as he looks for a number north of $50 million. 

Purdy’s rise to the top has been extraordinary considering where he was drafted. Starting 5 games as a rookie, he went 5-0 and could have led the 49ers to another Super Bowl appearance had it not been for an elbow injury he suffered in the NFC Championship game. He then led the team to a 12-4 record in 2023 and to his maiden Super Bowl appearance in just his second season. Granted 2024 was a big challenge, but that was partly because of all the injuries the 49ers were hit with. 

Irrespective, both head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have expressed their desires to continue with Purdy as their franchise quarterback. Thus, paying him the money he deserves is a no-brainer. Consequently, this means San Francisco has no choice but to ship their players to other teams or into free agency. 

Also Read: Rams getting ready to release Kupp if a trade doesn’t take place

Players Released, Traded, Or Lost In Free Agency

Directly or indirectly, Brock Purdy’s upcoming contract has triggered the release of twelve 49ers’ players up until this point, while they have added only one starting caliber wide receiver in Demarcus Robinson. Seeming to find this somewhat funny, Dallas Cowboys’ star defensive end welcomed the 49ers to reality with an X post saying, “No more rookie QB lol welcome to reality!”

The following is a list of players who have left the 49ers in this offseason:

• Deebo Samuel – Wide Receiver – traded to the Washington Commanders
• Dre Greenlaw – Linebacker – signed by the Denver Broncos
• Charvarius Ward – Cornerback – signed by the Indianapolis Colts
• Jaylon Moore – Offensive Tackle – signed by the Kansas City Chiefs
• Talanoa Hufanga – Safety – signed by the Denver Broncos
• Aaron Banks – Offensive Guard – signed by the Green Bay Packers
• Elijah Mitchell – Running back – signed by the Kansas City Chiefs
• Joshua Dobbs – Quarterback – signed by the New England Patriots
• Javon Hargrave – Defensive Tackle – signed by the Minnesota Vikings
• Leonard Floyd – Outside Linebacker – signed by the Atlanta Falcons
• Kyle Juszczyk – Full back – Released
• Maliek Collins – Defensive Tackle – Released

Although this seems like a lot of players have left the team, 49ers’ fans can take solace in the fact that their team has 10 picks in this year’s draft. San Francisco is set to bring in a bunch of young talent as they start preparing for life with a high-earning quarterback.

Read More: A New Quarterback Has Emerged as an Option for the Pittsburgh Steelers