The 49ers’ future hopes of signing Brock Birdie to a long-term contract extension through 2025 following quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars took a significant hit.
The No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft reportedly agreed to terms with Jacksonville on Thursday on a five-year, $275 million extension with $200 million guaranteed. Lawrence joins Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow as the two highest-paid players in the NFL, averaging $55 million per year.
Before the Lawrence deal, there was some hope that Purdy would receive an offer in the $40 million-a-year range, but the market has risen and the Iowa State product will receive significant leverage when he becomes eligible to sign. Contract extension through the end of the 2024 season.
Purdy has a year less NFL experience than Lawrence, but he’s accomplished more. The Jaguars quarterback has a 20-30 regular season record and is 1-1 in the playoffs while earning a Pro Bowl nod.
The 49ers quarterback has a 17-4 regular season record and is 4-2 in the playoffs, earning Pro Bowl honors in his second NFL season. The play-caller is also top notch Multiple league metrics including yards per attempt (9.6), yards per completion (13.9), and passer rating (113.0) in 2023.
Only Lawrence League-leading stat That occurred during his rookie season when he recorded an NFL-high 17 interceptions during his career. The Jaguars quarterback’s lack of success is part of what makes negotiations between the 49ers and Burdy’s representation even more challenging.
Of the top 10 highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL, Lawrence is one of three sitting on the wrong side of the win/loss column. The Los Angeles Chargers signed Justin Herbert (30-32) to a $262.5 million extension with an average salary of $52.5 million per year.
The remaining seven quarterbacks have similar winning records and significant playoff experience as Purdy. No. for the 2022 NFL Draft. If the 262 overall pick is comparable to the 2024 season, the 49ers have no choice but to cash in their checkbook.
What the 49ers would pay to keep their winning play caller in the building would end up being a record-breaking deal with an average annual salary of more than $50 million per year, like Burrow, Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff ($53M/). year), Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens ($52M/year), Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles ($51M/year) and now Lawrence.
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