The San Francisco 49ers have locked in their leadership core through 2030 with massive extensions for head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. But not everyone in the building is celebrating.
Owner Jed York, the man who greenlit the $404 million investment, is reportedly grappling with doubts-particularly surrounding Shanahan‘s recent game management and the organization’s unwillingness to fully meet Brock Purdy‘s contract expectations.
San Francisco’s 2024 season ended with a 6-11 record, far below expectations for a team considered among the league’s most talented. While the 49ers finished fourth in total offense, offensive stagnation in key moments left a sour taste.
According to Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard, “even if York isn’t 100% thrilled with everything that Shanahan, Lynch, and Purdy have done… he understands how hard it’d be to properly replace any of them.”
Discontent behind the scenes and tension over Purdy’s value
York‘s dissatisfaction reportedly stems from more than just the win-loss record. Inside team facilities, sources say he has grown increasingly concerned with Shanahan‘s play-calling and clock management, particularly in tight games.
The frustration is compounded by the team’s choice to prioritize rewarding the coach and GM while playing hardball during early negotiations with their starting quarterback.
During offseason press conferences, Shanahan emphasized the need for financial discipline, referring to it as “offseason austerity” aimed at long-term roster health.
Lynch backed up that stance, saying, “We knew that we had to make sacrifices around the roster to make sure that you can pay a quarterback.”
But Purdy‘s camp was initially met with resistance when it came to negotiating his value. The 2022 final draft pick had asked for $65 million per year. San Francisco rejected the proposal, and although the parties eventually agreed on a five-year, $265 million extension, insiders say the earlier impasse stirred resentment within the quarterback’s inner circle.
Despite the pushback, Purdy remained gracious publicly. “I’m committed to this organization and grateful for the faith Jed and everyone up top have shown in me,” he told reporters. But it’s hard to ignore the optics: Shanahan and Lynch received long-term security, while Purdy had to settle for less than his original ask.
That’s despite a résumé that continues to grow. In 2023, Purdy led the NFL with a 113.0 passer rating and posted 31 touchdowns on 69.4% passing. Even with injuries in 2024, he still passed for 3,864 yards and 20 touchdowns over 15 games.
His career total now stands at 9,518 passing yards and 64 touchdowns with a 67.5% completion rate. The 49ers have reached three straight NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl with him under center.
Purdy‘s rise from “Mr. Irrelevant” to franchise centerpiece has made his contract one of the most discussed in the league. Fans remain divided-some back York’s financial discipline, while others believe undervaluing the quarterback could lead to larger problems inside the locker room.
As the 2025 season approaches, the pressure mounts. Shanahan will need to justify the franchise’s faith in him with more than regular season yardage, and Purdy will be out to prove that his discounted deal was still a bargain.
For Jed York, the gamble lies in whether his chosen trio can finally deliver the ultimate prize-or if the cracks in their dynamic grow too wide to fix.
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