A few weeks ago, one of the most dramatic sagas in the NFL came to an end with the signing of the impressive contract the San Francisco 49ers gave Brock Purdy. The quarterback signed a 5-year extension worth $265 million, $181 million of it guaranteed, which sparked a lot of criticism.
On average, Brock Purdy will earn $53 million annually, making him currently the seventh highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, behind Dak Prescott ($60 million), Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Trevor Lawrence (each earning $55 million), and Tua Tagovailoa ($53.1 million). Not everyone agreed with the contract, but it seems the 49ers had no other choice.
It’s worth remembering that the 49ers are coming off a disappointing year, missing the playoffs and finishing last in the NFC West, just a year after nearly beating the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
George Kittle Is excited to work with Brock Purdy again
Brock Purdy wasn’t the only one to get an extension – George Kittle also secured one, becoming the highest-paid tight end in history. In April, Kittle signed a four-year contract extension worth $76.4 million, with $40 million guaranteed. He’ll remain with the franchise through 2029.
One of the things Kittle has highlighted about Brock Purdy is the leadership role he has quickly embraced with the 49ers – just as a quarterback should.
“Today he was throwing a pass on a route down the middle and J.J. (Jauan Jennings) stopped running, and he yelled at him for stopping. Just hearing that from him… he has expectations and a standard for us – how we run routes, his expectation during the dropback, where we’re supposed to be, and the rhythm of everything,” Kittle said.
Purdy is entering his fourth year; 2022 and 2023 were great seasons, reaching a conference final and a Super Bowl. Now he’ll aim to make a big impact in 2025 after a difficult 2024. Kittle knows his quarterback’s development has been impressive.
“For him to express his frustration and not just say, ‘We’ll get it next time,’ but to actually talk to Jauan so that the next time we run that play, we’re all on the same page… that kind of vocal leadership is incredible. Getting that from him has been really good,” Kittle added.
Kittle is coming off a great 2024 season, despite the team’s overall struggles. The tight end recorded 78 receptions for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns, and he’ll be looking to match those personal numbers in 2025 – but with better team results.
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