SANTA CLARA — Midway through the 49ers’ offseason program, money is flying around, as are questions persist for this social media-influenced mailbag:
Given that yearly average salary is all but meaningless, is the Brock Purdy contract structure better for him or the team — or a win-win? (@jeffdomingues.bsky.social)
This definitely looks like a win-win for both sides. Purdy gets his overdue raise with a five-year extension including $165 million in its first three years, which aligns with top-tier market conditions. The 49ers have secured a franchise quarterback with scarce alternatives available and a checkered history in their past, all without mortgaging their future like the Browns did in guaranteeing Deshaun Watson’s $230 million deal in 2022.
As terms of Purdy’s deal emerge — $270.346 million total when including his $5 million 2025 salary, $176 million in guarantees, and a no-trade clause, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer – this honestly is a win-win only if Purdy, well, wins. He did that immediately upon his 2022 entry, and he has produced playoff wins (in comebacks against Green Bay and Detroit en route to a Super Bowl appearance). Teammates flooded their social media accounts with congratulatory messages, and Purdy’s leadership ability ratchets up a level with this contract. The expectations remain the same: Super Bowl or bust.
And this remains true: The 49ers are not a one-man show. Purdy is not a one-man band. This offseason’s roster purge hit the defense and special teams more (all due respect to Deebo Samuel, Jordan Mason and Aaron Banks), but the extremely self-aware Purdy knows he’ll be complemented by Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Trent Williams and many more who are getting paid a ton to deliver, too.
Predictions on who you see stepping up in the wide receiver room outside of Juaun Jennings with the departure of Deebo (Samuel) and (Brandon) Aiyuk still finishing up recovery? I believe Kyle will look to our second-year guys to do so. (@bcbyacstan13)
Indeed, the 49ers are urging Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing to make a Kittle-esque second-year jump. Pearsall impressively finished off a rocky rookie season. Cowing must contribute more than as a mediocre punt returner: “We’ll get Jake as much involved as he shows his growth and development,” offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak recently said.
Don’t overlook rookie Jordan Watkins. The fourth-round speedster has a chance to make a sudden impact.
And I’m all-in on Aiyuk, maybe even from Week 1 or at least October. The NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year? Nah, that’ll be McCaffrey.
It seems a lot of posts I’ve seen have the 49ers winning the NFC WEST! What are your honest thoughts on that happening and why or not? #NINER4LIFE (@AlexPad85454743)
Well, NinerLifer, the Vegas oddsmakers picked the 49ers to reclaim their NFC West throne after a yearlong sabbatical. The defending champion Rams should be the favorite, what with that stout defensive line and Matthew Stafford now throwing to Davante Adams – albeit against a first-place schedule.
I do think the 49ers can rebound (*checks 2024 notes, sees they lost seven of their past eight*) and pull off a first-place finish – if they stay healthy, if Robert Saleh deftly orchestrates a young-and-hungry defense, and if this schedule is as soft as it appears.
In your opinion what is the toughest non-division game on the schedule? (@HaqueYouToo)
Let’s circle Oct. 12 at Tampa Bay, where the 49ers won last season on Jake Moody’s walk-off field goal. The Bucs are one of three playoff teams on the schedule, and a cross-country jaunt can be dicey. The next roadie is also daunting and also against a playoff team, the Houston Texans, on Oct. 26. In between those is a Sunday night home game on Oct. 19 against the Atlanta Falcons, who could be the NFC South’s upstart team.
Tell me what you think Warner’s deal might look like? (@michael_budd)
Fred Warner is next on the contract extension circuit. How about four years, $81 million to top the linebacker market? His last extension, in 2021, calls for salaries of $17.7 million over the next two seasons, but with a $29 million charge on this year’s salary cap that must be “recalibrated,” to borrow this offseason’s catchprase for the defensive rebuild around Warner.
Can we fire Shanahan after this season please? (@cleoak57259389)
No. He and Purdy are only three seasons into a union that the 49ers are fully banking on for future years.
What will be the biggest difference in defensive philosophy between last year and the coming year? (@toogr8fltm.bsky.social)
As Saleh makes his encore as defensive coordinator, he said of his scheme: “For sure it’s evolved … a lot of really cool concepts and things. Some things are the same. Some are meshed. Some are new. We’re trying to stay a couple years ahead. A lot may seem similar but there’s a lot of nuance that makes a difference.”
Interpretation: They’re staying in the Wide-9 front with Nick Bosa and top pick Mykel Williams setting the edges, they could get creative at linebacker with younger players around Warner, and they may mix up their secondary coverages while sifting through the right personnel.
Do you think we’ll start the season with a decent, dependable kicker? (@andy.rodriguez7014)
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If Joseph wins the job but struggles, the 49ers easily will move on to the next journeyman. Moody can handle that competition. More importantly, they veered away from Justin Tucker after off-field concerns led to his Baltimore exit, and they didn’t bring in Greg Zuerlein, who was last with the Jets and special teams coordinator Brant Boyer, who is now the 49ers’ coordinator.
Lot of talk about Moody and I understand why. How about some camp competition for Mitch? He seems to be slipping the past couple of years. (@ninergriller)
Mitch Wishnowsky, 33, is the only punter on the roster, after back and knee injuries hindered him last season and sent him onto injured reserve the final two months. The 49ers had greater priorities to address this offseason but that doesn’t mean Wishnowsky is safe.
Final overall Niners record? (@jorob34)
Take the over. Sportsbooks have the 49ers at 10.5 wins. I’m tempted to go 12-5, but 11-6 seems a safer bet. Then they will have made the Lombardi Trophy Tournament that ends at Levi’s Stadium on Feb. 8. See you there.
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