Brock Purdy has come a long way from being the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. After emerging as a franchise-caliber quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, he was rewarded in May with a massive five-year, $265 million contract extension that includes $181 million in guaranteed money.
On paper, it’s the most lucrative deal in 49ers history-and a far cry from the league-minimum deal he once played on. But as several voices around the league have pointed out, the real value of Purdy‘s new contract may be significantly lower than the headline figure suggests.
The deal has drawn widespread support from former players and league insiders. “This is the right person in the locker room to lead your team,” said former All-Pro safety Rodney Harrison. “If you’re paying Trent Williams $27 million a year at 36 years old… you gotta be able to pay Brock Purdy.”
Even head coach Kyle Shanahan underlined his belief in the 24-year-old quarterback, saying, “We’re capable of winning the Super Bowl with him.”
Derek Carr sheds light on hidden costs of playing in California
Veteran quarterback Derek Carr offered a sobering perspective on the structure and real-world payout of Purdy’s deal. In a recent Instagram video, Carr broke down the impact of California’s 13.3% top tax rate and the conditional guarantees that often come with NFL contracts.
“You live in California, immediately cut the number in half,” Carr explained. “What are we left with? $132.5 million. Split that up over five years… only a hundred was guaranteed-cut that in half, that’s 50.”
Carr went on to detail how contracts often include triggers tied to roster status or specific dates, making much of the so-called “guaranteed” money conditional.
Carr‘s explanation underscores how NFL contracts, especially those in high-tax states like California, can appear far more lucrative than they actually are.
Despite being labeled as fully guaranteed for injury, only $100 million of Purdy‘s deal is guaranteed at signing. The rest hinges on various clauses that can change the payout if the player is cut or traded.
In that context, the inclusion of a full no-trade clause in Purdy’s contract stands out. It’s a rare addition for a quarterback with less than three full seasons as a starter and reflects the 49ers’ long-term commitment to him.
“I think it’s important, yes,” Purdy acknowledged, “but also that’s something that my agent and I had discussed with what other quarterbacks have around the league.”
Reports suggest that Purdy‘s representatives originally pushed for an even more ambitious figure-around $65 million per year.
The 49ers declined to go that high but eventually landed on a deal that balances competitiveness with cap stability. Still, it’s clear that the expectations for Purdy have now risen significantly.
He’s no longer just the underdog success story-he’s now the face of a franchise with Super Bowl aspirations and one of the highest-paying contracts in the league. With financial flexibility and long-term control baked into the deal, San Francisco is betting big on Purdy‘s continued growth.
Whether the deal proves to be a bargain or a burden depends entirely on what comes next. But as Carr‘s remarks make clear, the headline figure is only part of the story
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