Brock Purdy Contract: Breaking Down One of the Cheapest QBs in ...

The Brock Purdy story is one of the best the NFL has to offer right now. The 2022 last pick in the draft, otherwise known as “Mr. Irrelevant,” has taken the league by storm since the moment he got on the field in Week 14 of last season.

At the time of being drafted, the San Fransisco 49ers had two established players (for different reasons) already at quarterback, which did not leave much room for the young rookie to come in with much of a path to playing time.

The year started with the 49ers deciding to move on from veteran QB Jimmy Garoppolo in favor of their 2021 first-round draft pick Trey Lance. While the team had moved on from Jimmy G as their starter, they hadn’t officially moved on from him being on the roster, and he was still a part of the team. As a result, Purdy would need a lot to happen in order for him to see the light of the field.

Well, a lot did happen, and Purdy would eventually become the team’s starter in Week 14 following Lance’s injury in Week 2 and then Garoppolo’s injury in Week 13.

It’s a job and a role Purdy would never relinquish. As we head into Week 3 of the 2023 season, this is Purdy’s team, and he looks to be the NFL’s biggest bargain right now.

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When you’re drafted in the NFL, your pay is dependent on your draft slot. The amount you are going to make is predetermined by the collective bargaining agreement, and the only things that are hashed out after the fact are things like signing bonuses and contract structural language.

As the last pick in the draft, the money is anything but lucrative. Purdy signed a four-year, $3,737,008 contract with the 49ers, including a $77,008 signing bonus, $77,008 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $934,252.

For this season, Purdy’s cap hit is just $870,000, making him the 63rd-highest-paid quarterback in the entire NFL.

For perspective, there are 31 other starting quarterbacks in the NFL other than Purdy, and a total of 64 quarterbacks that occupy a starting or backup role in the league. Purdy is 63rd out of the possible 64 players’ salaries.

The 49ers have a tremendous opportunity to build their roster with as much talent as they possibly can right now. With Purdy’s salary so low at this time, the rest of the money can be allocated across the rest of the roster.

MORE: Why Did the 49ers Draft Brock Purdy?

If the 49ers handle things correctly, they should not only be good but great over the next few years before it’s time to pay Purdy a second contract.

This scenario is an NFL general manager’s dream. An overachieving, low-paid quarterback who has the ability to lead your team to a championship while paying big money smartly at other places. The 49ers window for a championship is right now, and it all started with Mr. Irrelevant and a bit of luck.