Just a few days ago, one of the major sagas of the current NFL offseason ended on a high note with an agreement between the San Francisco 49ers’ front office and quarterback Brock Purdy, who signed a five-year, $265 million deal to try to bring a Super Bowl to the Bay Area team.
In the 2023 season, Brock Purdy came very close to winning the Super Bowl when Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs defeated the 49ers in overtime in the NFL’s biggest game. That season was a strong one for the quarterback, especially with Christian McCaffrey by his side.
However, 2024 was the complete opposite. McCaffrey spent much of the season injured, and the 49ers turned into a major disappointment. Not only did they miss the playoffs, but they also finished last in the NFC West after ending the season with four straight losses. That’s why Purdy’s new contract is seen as risky-if things don’t work out, it could be a mistake that jeopardizes the franchise’s future.
Brock Purdy took away a big lesson from his contract negotiations
Despite the criticism and mixed opinions regarding his contract-which includes $181 million guaranteed-Purdy handled the situation in the best possible way. He attended training, always spoke positively about the organization, and maintained professionalism-something that isn’t common in these types of situations.
This offseason, the 49ers also gave extensions to George Kittle and Fred Warner, and none of them caused any negative noise during their negotiations.
“One thing I learned during this process is that even though we’re going through the business side of things, how can I still be present in the locker room, show love to my teammates, and build trust and character throughout the organization, despite the negotiations happening?” said Brock Purdy.
The quarterback also mentioned that he wanted to set a good example for his teammates with the way he handled negotiations-without putting pressure on the 49ers’ front office.
“I didn’t want to lose who I am in the middle of it all. I feel like we’ve seen stories and situations in this league where people act out of character because of what they hear. But what I learned is that this is a business, and that doesn’t mean I have to change. I can still be who I am, stay true to that, and trust that things will work out.”, said Brock Purdy..
So Brock Purdy became an example, avoiding what happened last year when Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams handled their respective negotiations negatively. That kind of behavior never crossed his mind.
Now, with the contract signed and as the face of San Francisco’s future-and with a favorable schedule ahead-Brock Purdy will look to lead the 49ers to the top of the NFC West.
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