49ers: Master Strategy After Purdy Extension and Restructuring

The 49ers and the Financial Strategy to Secure Brock Purdy

For four years, the San Francisco 49ers paved the way for Brock Purdy to become the highest-paid player in the franchise’s history. This strategy, planned in advance, involved crucial decisions and a restructuring of the team to adapt to the financial landscape of the NFL. In 2021, the Niners decided that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t fit into their long-term plans, despite having made him the highest-paid player in the league just three years prior.

“We feel that if we got a quarterback on a rookie contract, we could build a team that’s very difficult to face,” said John Lynch, 49ers general manager. “When you have that, it’s much easier to have many more stars on the rest of your roster, not just stars, but also high-level depth, which we’ve had for a long time.”

John Lynch

The decision to move on from Garoppolo and recruit Trey Lance was a key step. Although Lance did not meet expectations, the need to financially secure a top-tier quarterback materialized with Purdy, who signed a five-year, $265 million contract in April, including $181 million guaranteed.

This strategy led to one of the most significant roster restructurings in NFL history. The 49ers parted ways with nearly 20 players, 15 of whom secured deals with other teams totaling up to $341.5 million.

To compensate for these departures, the 49ers focused on the 2025 NFL draft and rebuilding their defense, following a model similar to that of the Los Angeles Rams in 2023 and the Buffalo Bills in 2024, teams that Lynch’s staff studied closely.

The 49ers (3-1) hope to overcome similar challenges as their young players develop. Their next encounter, against the Rams, will be a test of their ability to compete for playoff spots.

“When you find someone who is a top 10 quarterback who can help you win football games continuously, then you have to make that decision,” said 49ers owner Jed York. “And if you do that, it simply comes with consequences, and you have to figure it out.”

Jed York

The Long-Term Plan and the Importance of the Quarterback

Les Snead, Rams general manager, underscores the importance of a long-term plan for the quarterback position, highlighting that having a stable quarterback is preferable to uncertainty. For the 49ers, the signs that Purdy was the one manifested early. Shanahan highlighted the December 2022 game against Seattle, where Purdy played despite a rib injury, securing the NFC West division. Purdy proved his worth in 2023 by overcoming an elbow injury and leading the Niners to the Super Bowl, earning his first Pro Bowl nomination and finishing fourth in the league’s MVP voting.

According to York, the decision to sign Purdy long-term was solidified mid-season last year, with Lynch making sure Shanahan agreed. The 49ers began preparing financially to pay their star quarterback since 2022, working on three-year projections to anticipate the increase in the salary cap and the cost of key players. This strategic approach resulted in the departure of several key players in March, forcing the 49ers to take on a large amount of dead money on the salary cap. However, this strategy allows them to clear the salary cap for 2026 and beyond. The 49ers lead the league with $99.2 million in dead money and still rank third in cash spending ($328.1 million) due to the contracts of Purdy, Kittle, and Warner. The 49ers’ strategy, similar to the Rams’, includes obtaining compensatory draft picks to compensate for personnel losses. The 49ers have accumulated 14 compensatory picks in the last three years, and are expected to get four more in 2026.

Shanahan and Lynch avoid the term “rebuild”, preferring to maintain competitiveness. Shanahan gathered the veterans to share the plan and encourage participation in the development of the young players. The 49ers’ strategy focused on rebuilding the defense, especially the line, while maintaining continuity on offense. In the draft, they selected key players on the defensive line, following the example of the Rams. Despite a season start with some difficulties, the 49ers have achieved a 3-1 record. Future success will depend on the health and performance of their stars, as well as the performance of Purdy, the quarterback they planned for in the long term.

“You have to ask yourself, is it worth doing all this with this quarterback?”, Lynch said. “And in our case, it’s not a burden because you have your franchise quarterback and we all know how important he is to your team”.

John Lynch