Brock Purdy has clearly exceeded expectations during his NFL career. He was the last player picked in the 2022 NFL draft, and not even the San Francisco 49ers could have had an idea he would become a quality starter. Oddly, the Seattle Seahawks should be happy he became one, too.
To be sure, one reason for Purdy's success is the system he is in. His accuracy and decision-making are perfect for head coach Kyle Shanahan's scheme. The quarterback does not have one of the strongest arms in the league, and he is certainly not the most athletic quarterback, but there might be no quarterback in the NFL who could run the 49ers offense as well as Purdy.
He would have been a free agent next offseason as San Francisco had no fifth-year option on the QB. That option only holds for first-round picks, and Purdy was the furthest player from that in the draft. But he isn't going anywhere, as San Francisco signed him to a massive extension this offseason.
49ers extending Brock Purdy is good for the Seattle Seahawks
This is good news for the Seahawks. For the Purdy deal to work, a couple of things have to go right for the 49ers. One is that Shanahan cannot go anywhere because Purdy is very unlikely to be as good in a different coach's system. The second is that San Fran has to be hoping the salary cap goes up—way up.
Cap services like Spotrac and Over the Cap have yet to be able to factor Purdy's new deal into future projections. Once they do, the 49ers are likely to be over the cap for 2026. The team has a projected $31 million to spend in 2026, and Purdy's number will eat that up.
His extension is for five years and $265 million, of which $181 million is guaranteed. He also has a no-trade clause, so the 49ers are stuck with him.
The 49ers still have money to spend this offseason, and assuming that all rolls over to next offseason, San Francisco could have as much as $60 million to spend. Purdy's contract will still take a chunk of that.
Plus, the 49ers signed Fred Warner to an extension this week. His deal is for three years and $63 million, of which $56 million is guaranteed. The positive part for the Seahawks is that Warner, as great as he is, will turn 30 in 2026, so he could diminish before his contract ends.
The 49ers aren't dumb. They know how much money they will have left after the Purdy and Warner extensions, but they must also know that adding or keeping high-end players around them will be an issue. If Purdy does not continue his current level or cannot stay healthy, San Francisco is doomed.
That would be great news for the Seahawks, who have a young roster and have a lot of money to spend in future offseasons. While the 49ers kept Purdy, Seattle is set up better for the future than San Francisco.
