San Francisco 49ers

As the San Francisco 49ers continue to negotiate a long-term contract extension with Brock Purdy, there isn't any indication he is drawing interest as a potential trade candidate.

On the latest episode of the Scoop City podcast (starts at 40:05 mark), The Athletic's Dianna Russini said "no teams" have called the 49ers to engage in trade talks about the quarterback.

Unlike previous years when the 49ers have allowed top players to seek a trade amid prolonged contract talks, there has been no indication they are even entertaining the idea of dealing Purdy right now.

All indications from the key decision-makers in San Francisco are they are optimistic about getting a long-term deal done with the 25-year-old. Owner Jed York told reporters this week that part of the reason they lost so many players in free agency was connected to the understanding they will be paying their quarterback a lot more money.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Tuesday he believes the 49ers will sign Purdy to a new deal, but it could take time because of the amount of money involved.

The Iowa State product has been one of the biggest bargains in the NFL over the past three seasons. The final pick in the 2022 draft has yet to earn $1 million in base salary in a season on his rookie contract, though that will change in 2025 regardless of whether or not an extension gets done ($5.3 million on his current deal).

Per Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, there's an expectation Purdy's extension could land between $50-55 million annually "or potentially more" whenever it gets done.

Since taking over as San Francisco's starting quarterback in Week 14 of the 2022 season, Purdy has led the team to a 23-13 record and an appearance in Super Bowl 58.

Injuries derailed the 49ers' 2024 season, though Purdy turned in arguably his best performance given the circumstances around him. He threw for 3,864 yards, 20 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 65.9 completion percentage in 15 games.

The Arizona Cardinals and tight end Trey McBride have agreed to an historic four-year, $76 million extension, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, who relayed the news from the third-year pro's representation at Wasserman.

Arizona Cardinals are making Pro-Bowl TE Trey McBride the highest-paid tight end in NFL history with a four-year, $76 million extension, per agents @MSWENSON78 @CJLaBoy @dhendrickson41 of @wassermannfl.

The deal includes $43 million guaranteed and a $19 million average per year,… pic.twitter.com/Gil0BQKxhq

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 3, 2025

McBride will also get $32.5 million in fully guaranteed money, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

That contract is the richest for a tight end all-time, surpassing the five-year, $75 million that San Francisco 49ers' George Kittle signed in 2020.

Speaking of which, Kittle's contract is due to expire after the 2025 season. Per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, the 49ers are looking to get a contract extension done with Kittle.

“Howdy!”

The 49ers aim to get a contract extension done with George Kittle later this offseason. https://t.co/F3rqFL8Eht

— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) April 3, 2025

That makes sense for a few reasons. First, Kittle currently counts for $22 million against the 2025 cap, per Over the Cap, so a new deal could give the 49ers some relief on that front.

"It's always been until the wheels fall off," Kittle said. "Or until my wife tells me to stop playing, which I'll trust her on that one."

Second, Kittle turns 32 years old in October, but there's plenty of reason to believe he still has something left in the tank. He just enjoyed a great season, catching 78 passes for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns despite missing two games with hamstring injuries.

He also has the desire to keep playing, as noted by ESPN's Nick Wagoner.

"It's always been until the wheels fall off," Kittle said. "Or until my wife tells me to stop playing, which I'll trust her on that one."

Kittle also wants to be a 49er for life, a sentiment he's expressed multiple times.

“I said it yesterday, I want to be a Niner for my entire career,” Kittle said after the season ended, per Joaquin Ruiz of NBC Sports Bay Area. “I love wearing the Red and Gold. And, whatever the front office wants to do, I’m all ears.”

As far as a potential extension goes, one can look to McBride's contract for clues. He just reset the tight end market at $19 million per season. Kittle is fourth at $15 million per year.

Highest/paid TEs in per year average:

🏈Trey McBride: $19M
🏈Travis Kelce: $17.1M
🏈TJ Hockenson: $16.5M
🏈 George Kittle: $15M
🏈 Dallas Goedert: $14.25M
🏈 Mark Andrews: $14M https://t.co/fuhd8Ai4G0

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 3, 2025

Kittle just earned Associated Press All-Pro second team honors behind Las Vegas Raiders rookie Brock Bowers, who just dominated the league with 112 catches, 1,194 yards and five scores.

As far as yearly value goes, one can surmise that Kittle should be surpassing McBride's amount, as David Lombardi of the San Francisco Standard wrote.

Trey McBride deal was likely necessary for 49ers to finish George Kittle's extension — because Kittle is the NFL's best TE, he should get the highest APY. Current rank:

1. McBride: $19m
2. Travis Kelce: $17.1m
3. T.J. Hockenson: $16.5m
4. Kittle: $15m
5. Dallas Goedert: $14.3m https://t.co/Mv4jetlGAi

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) April 3, 2025

I'm saying that anyone with a brain, which includes Kittle and his agent, knew that McBride would sign this offseason. Why would Kittle, as the clearly best tight end, sign a deal that could be immediately usurped? https://t.co/TVzgUOqvat

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) April 3, 2025

Look for the 49ers and Kittle agree on a yearly value beating McBride's figure.

As far as contract length goes, this is a subjective enterprise, but the guess here is the 49ers and Kittle agree on three more years, taking the tight end into the 2028 season, when he turns 35 years old.

Kittle's production is tremendous, and he's shown no signs of slowing down. A four-year extension on top of the 2025 season might be a bit long into the back half of his 30s. That being said, Kittle has shown he's certainly deserving of millions in guarantees.

The projection here is for Kittle's contract to beat McBride's numbers on that front. Yes, it's a lot of guaranteed money for a tight end into his 30s, but Kittle is a special talent who's been tremendous in the pass game and run game (as a blocker). He's also a team leader and was an integral part of two NFC title teams.

They'll need his talents even more with the 49ers moving on from wide receiver Deebo Samuel via trade to the Washington Commanders, so it behooves them to lock in Kittle,

Final projection: 3-year, $60 million contract ($33 million fully guaranteed, $45 million guaranteed overall)

While many have predicted that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is next in line for a big-money contract extension, the team actually has the ability to hold off on his new deal for a few years.

An NFL executive explained to The Athletic's Mike Sando that the 49ers could utilize the franchise tag on Purdy and maintain control for the next three seasons before rewarding him with a big payday.

"People forget with Purdy, the guy has made nothing," the exec said. "If you are Brock Purdy, you are staring two years of franchise tags in the face and $5 million (in 2025 salary). His best-case scenario (without an extension) is $100 million over three years. I am not saying they would pound him, but I have never understood how people think he gets to $60 million (per year on an extension)."

The 49ers lost a slew of key players to free agency, trade or release this offseason, and team owner Jed York admitted earlier this week that the moves were tied to Purdy's impending extension.

"I don't know that, as we looked at the board, that there was somebody that we felt made that type of an impact more so than making the decision to try to go pay Brock," York said, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner.

Purdy has proven to be one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the NFL, but the 49ers could save money and add more talent around him by delaying his extension. Still, York's comments make it sound like Purdy will be breaking the bank sooner rather than later.

One day after general manager John Lynch addressed Brock Purdy's contract talks, San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York chimed in to offer an update on where things stand between the two sides.

Speaking to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo at the league meetings on Tuesday, York explained talks have been "good" and the feeling is they are not "that far apart" with Purdy's camp right now.

"I think (contract talks have) been good," York said. "It's not conversations that I'm having. … He's got to make a decision with what he wants to do. I don't think we're that far apart. I think we can sit down and get something done. Whenever he's ready, we're ready."

Lynch said on Monday that he wouldn't consider it "too optimistic" that a deal with Purdy could come together before the 49ers begin their offseason workout program later this month.

"I don't think it's too optimistic," Lynch responded to a reporter in his availability. "I understand why Brock wants that. We'd like that very much, so we just have to find that right place for both sides. I would like nothing more than for that to be the case."

All of the 49ers' key decision-makers—Lynch, York and head coach Kyle Shanahan—have said in no uncertain terms they want to keep Purdy as their starting quarterback for a long time.

"I’ve loved these three years with Brock," Shanahan told reporters at his end-of-season press conference on Jan. 8. "I plan on being with Brock here the whole time I'm here."

Purdy has also said he hopes a deal comes together quickly because he would like to avoid a prolonged negotiation that would result in him missing any part of the offseason activities due to a holdout.

This offseason marks the first time Purdy is eligible to sign an extension. He has yet to make $1 million in base salary in a single season in his career, though that will change in 2025 whether or not an extension happens since he's owed $5.3 million.

Per Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, Purdy's extension could average $50-55 million per season "or potentially more."

There are currently 10 quarterbacks making at least $50 million annually. A $55 million annual salary for Purdy would tie him with four other players for the second-highest among all quarterbacks, including Josh Allen and Joe Burrow.

Since his first full season as a starter in 2023, Purdy ranks tied for second in quarterback rating (104.4), third in passing yards (8,144) and eighth in passing touchdowns (51).

Injuries to several key players last season played a significant role in the 49ers finishing 6-11 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020. They advanced to Super Bowl 58 during the 2023 season, losing in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch reflected on the team's disappointing 2024 season.

"We were 6-11, no matter how we got there, that's embarrassing," Lynch said, per David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. "I don't ever want to be 6-11 again. ... The draft is an important part of fixing that."

The 49ers entered their 2024 campaign with high expectations after making an appearance in Super Bowl 58, but they ultimately missed the playoffs for just the second time in the past six seasons.

San Francisco initially appeared as though it would compete for a postseason spot, sitting at 5-4 through Week 10. The 49ers eventually lost seven of their final eight games of the year, though.

PICK! The @MiamiDolphins defense comes up clutch.

📺: #SFvsMIA on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/xUnvHwRItw

— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2024

Injuries took a toll on San Francisco last season, as star running back Christian McCaffrey was limited to just four games due to Achilles tendonitis as well as a PCL injury.

The list of players that missed multiple games for the 49ers in 2024 includes key contributors such as Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, Javon Hargrave, Nick Bosa, Talanoa Hufanga and Trent Williams.

San Francisco particularly struggled on the defensive side of the ball, as its scoring defense ranked No. 29 among all teams by allowing 25.6 points each week.

As the 49ers look to improve in 2025, they should be able to add an immediate starter with the No. 11 overall pick in the draft.

The San Francisco 49ers are confident that they will get a contract extension done with quarterback Brock Purdy.

49ers general manager John Lynch expressed his belief that the team "will get a deal done" with Purdy and that it hopefully happens in the near future.

"Brock wants to be with us," Lynch said, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN. "We want Brock to be with us. When that's the case, these things typically get done. And does it happen this offseason? I don't know. Hopefully it happens real soon this offseason, but I think that's the extent of getting into those things. ... There's motivation on both sides, and that's always a good thing."

Purdy is entering his fourth NFL season and the final year of his rookie deal. He has led the 49ers to the playoffs two times, including a run to the NFC Championship in 2022-23 and to the Super Bowl in 2023-24.

The 49ers had an injury-riddled 2024 season, finishing 6-11 and missing the postseason for the first time since 2020. Purdy threw for 3,864 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 15 games.

Lynch and the 49ers have consistently backed Purdy as their long-term option as the starting quarterback and it will require a significant payment soon to secure him. Per Over The Cap, the 49ers will have $50.4 million in cap space in 2026 and Purdy's contract would expectedly take up a significant portion of that.

While it may be a hefty cost, Lynch's words show that the team appears likely to do what it takes to get the deal done.

A Brandon Aiyuk trade does not appear imminent for the San Francisco 49ers.

49ers general manager John Lynch told Nick Wagoner of ESPN that he "expects" Aiyuk to be a contributor to the 49ers in 2025 and that the team has "no regret" about last year's contract extension.

#49ers GM John Lynch says he expects WR Brandon Aiyuk to be a part of the team this year. He said he thought there was "spill over" from last year where teams wanted to try to acquire Aiyuk.

But added "there's no regret" about the extension.

"We love Brandon Aiyuk as a…

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) March 31, 2025

"We love Brandon Aiyuk as a football player," Lynch said, per Wagoner. "We did when we drafted him and we're excited to move forward with him."

Aiyuk was the subject of numerous trade rumors ahead of the 2024 NFL season and had aggressive suitors in the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the end, he would sign a four-year, $120 million extension with the 49ers.

He then proceeded to make 25 catches for 374 yards in seven games before suffering a torn ACL and MCL that ended his season. This short, lackluster season came after a prolific 2023 season where he had 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.

The 49ers have shed a significant amount of salary in 2025, with the trade of wide receiver Deebo Samuel being a notable one. Aiyuk is due a roster bonus of $22.85 million on Tuesday, so the 49ers would not be likely to trade him after paying that bonus, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

While the San Francisco 49ers traded Deebo Samuel this offseason, they are reportedly not expected to move fellow wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

ESPN's Adam Schefter explained the situation Sunday and called Tuesday "Aiyuk's unofficial trade deadline" since a $22.9 million bonus will kick in if he remains on the roster at that point and would all but end any discussions about sending him to another team.

Schefter reported "no deal currently is expected by then."

Trade speculation is nothing new when it comes to Aiyuk.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported the 49ers discussed moving either Aiyuk or Samuel around the 2024 NFL draft, and the former requested a trade in July 2024 with his contract under the spotlight.

Yet he and San Francisco eventually agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension before the 2024 regular season.

That extension hasn't stopped Aiyuk's name from popping up in trade rumors this offseason, but all signs seem to indicate he will remain with San Francisco. In addition to Schefter's report, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reported Wednesday that "trading for Aiyuk's contract coming off an ACL injury is a tall order, and most believe it is unlikely."

Schultz and Russini also pointed to Tuesday's deadline for the roster bonus with the latter adding on her Scoop City podcast she doesn't believe a trade is likely (29-minute mark).

"I don't get the sense that it's a reality," she said. "I'm sure that the 49ers would like to do it because of the finances. Why would a team be so open about this? There must be something else."

Aiyuk was limited to just seven games last season because of a torn ACL and MCL, which, along with the financial picture, would make trading for him a risk for any potential suitor.

However, he is also a proven playmaker who posted back-to-back seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards in 2022 and 2023. The 49ers reached the Super Bowl during that 2023 campaign as he finished with 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.

Even if there may be some desire from the 49ers to explore a potential trade given the financial commitment awaiting them if Aiyuk remains on the roster past Tuesday, they will certainly be reliant on him during the 2025 campaign after trading Samuel.

The veteran figures to assume an even larger responsibility in the aerial attack alongside George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey as San Francisco looks to bounce back from an injury-riddled 6-11 effort in 2024.

And that can only happen if the front office doesn't move him prior to the season.

Brock Purdy believes fatigue from three straight years of deep playoff runs contributed to the San Francisco 49ers' struggles in 2024.

Appearing on the Built 4 More podcast (h/t David Bonilla of 49ers Web Zone), Purdy said the 49ers were "tired" last season because of their compressed offseason schedule after a run to the Super Bowl in 2023.

"That season is no joke, and when you go from July of training and everything, all the way to the end of February, and then you really get five weeks off or so [until] you've got to report back, and then you're going again, guys are tired. They're still beat up, their bodies."

Purdy went on to say "it's not easy" to play as much football as the 49ers did, particularly for older veterans who rely on recovery time to be in peak condition.

There's certainly a lot to be said for how many games the Niners played over the previous three years resulting in the bottom dropping out in 2024.

Per Aaron Schatz of FTNFantasy.com, the 49ers were the most injured team in the NFL last season by adjusted games lost. The stat accounts for injury-related absences to expected starters and key situation players, rather than a catch-all for all players that would include sparingly-used backups.

By comparison, the 2023 49ers team that made the Super Bowl had the fourth-fewest adjusted games lost in the NFL.

Brandon Aiyuk, Christian McCaffrey, Javon Hargrave, Talanoa Hufanga and Trent Williams played a combined 31 games. Purdy, George Kittle, Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, Deebo Samuel, Deommodore Lenoir and Nick Bosa all missed at least two games.

That list doesn't even include Dre Greenlaw, who appeared in just two games after rupturing his Achilles in the second quarter of Super Bowl 58 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

No team other than the Chiefs played more games between the regular season and playoffs than the 49ers from 2021 to '23. They were in the NFC Championship Game all three years, advancing to the Super Bowl in the 2023 season.

Purdy wasn't even part of the 2021 team that lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game. He was selected in 2022 as the final pick of the draft.

When you combine the amount of games the 49ers had played over that stretch with the roster attrition that is natural for every team to go through, it's not hard to figure out why they had their worst record (6-11) since Kyle Shanahan's second season as head coach in 2018.

The San Francisco 49ers are unlikely to trade wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, per Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, who cited him coming off a torn ACL and his contract (four-year, $120 million extension).

"Things are a bit more tenuous, however, between the Niners and their WR1," Schultz began.

"Sources indicate that the 49ers are open to trading Aiyuk — a terrific player who will certainly be motivated — and there has been communication with several teams. However, trading for Aiyuk's contract coming off an ACL injury is a tall order, and most believe it is unlikely. 

"The timing here is crucial: Aiyuk has a guaranteed option bonus of nearly $23 million that triggers on April 1, making it harder to move him afterward."

One personnel director told Schultz on a potential trade that "it would be a pretty big surprise for me."

Aiyuk, 27, caught 25 passes for 374 yards and no touchdowns in seven games last season before suffering a torn ACL and MCL against the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 20. The year before, Aiyuk enjoyed a stellar campaign, snagging 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven scores while helping lead the 49ers to an NFC title.

Aiyuk's name has been thrown around in trade talks because of the massive $22.9 million roster bonus due to him on April 1. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported as much as the Scoop City podcast (h/t Grant Cohn of San Francisco 49ers on SI).

"The 49ers have incentive to move Brandon Aiyuk before his April 1 payday," Russini said. "They've gotten some calls about him. We know that they signed him to a new contract last summer and we all know the drama that came with that. It's a $22.855 million roster bonus. There's some chatter that perhaps they're going to move him and that teams are interested."

However, Russini also said that she didn't think a trade would be likely.

"I don't get the sense that it's a reality," she said. "I'm sure that the 49ers would like to do it because of the finances. Why would a team be so open about this? There must be something else."

So it seems as though Aiyuk will be sticking around San Francisco, which means a massive bonus headed his way soon enough.

The 49ers certainly hope Aiyuk can find his old form. There's two issues on that front. First, Aiyuk is coming back from a serious knee injury, but second, he hadn't fared well in the seven games before the ailment occurred.

Perhaps that could be somewhat attested the lack of an offseason, which Aiyuk sat out as he was searching for a new deal. Aiyuk was nearly traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers before the 49ers and him struck a new deal in the 25th hour.

San Francisco general manager John Lynch told reporters last month at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis (h/t Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area) that Aiyuk is "doing really well" in his rehab.

“I know that anecdotally, he's doing really well,” Lynch said. “Our trainers who have been with him say he's doing very well. He’s putting in the work, that's what you have to do. And like I've always said, the real top end athletes tend to heal at a little faster rate and I think that's going on with Brandon as well.”

So hopefully that continues for Aiyuk and he's able to enjoy a healthy and productive offseason as he returns to the mix. Failing an unlikely trade, San Francisco could certainly be relying on him more this season after dealing fellow star wideout Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders.