NFL Manager: Brock Purdy is an elite backup, the 49ers could pursue an alternate QB

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While Brock Purdy is still on pace to break the San Francisco 49ers single-season franchise record he set last season, the quarterback is coming off one of the worst games of his career, throwing three interceptions for 28: 18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Confidence in Purdy remains high in the 49ers building. Still, critics suggest his Week 7 performance proves he may be overrated and can't lead the team without quality offensive playmakers.

In a fascinating article for the Washington Post, Jason La Canfora examined Purdy's recent struggles in a season in which the 49ers' defense has not yet reached elite form and the quarterback is still without game-changing running back Christian McCaffrey and now wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk . who is out for the season.

While Purdy is on pace with more than 4,400 passing yards, his passer rating has dropped from a league-leading 113.0 last season to 91.2 this season, and his touchdown percentage is an NFL-best 7th .0% fell to 4.2%. Purdy has thrown seven interceptions in seven games, a number he didn't reach until Week 14 of last season.

With Purdy likely up for a contract extension after this season, there is increasing discussion about price. Some believe he could become one of the league's highest-paid players – perhaps even set the standard. That would likely put him in the $60 million annual range, similar to Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who the 49ers face on Sunday night.

La Canfora suspects that such a number may be too high for a quarterback who is not widely considered elite. He suggests the 49ers consider an alternative, potentially pursuing Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​— a longtime favorite of head coach Kyle Shanahan — as a “potential way out” of a massive Purdy contract in 2025.

While Cousins ​​signed with the Falcons this year, the team also drafted Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall. Cousins' stats this season are comparable to Purdy's, and his addition would provide that some Cap relief. However, Cousins ​​will be 37 years old at the start of next season, while Purdy will only be 25 years old. Such a move would force the 49ers to once again look for a long-term quarterback.

An unnamed NFL personnel executive agrees with La Canfora's sentiments.

“I really try to keep an open mind and not just be influenced by what I saw when I scouted him in college,” the manager told La Canfora. “But Kyle has to see what I see. You can win with him when everything else around him is great, but you won't win because of him. The squad is getting older and broken, and the squad will slip as soon as you pay them.

“You saw him break down last year when everything wasn’t perfect. You know what I think about it, and it's in the movie. He is an elite backup for me more than anything. He’s a guy, he’s not.” The Guy. …And I hear the same thing as you about cousins. I can totally see that. You can’t give this kid $50 or $60 million.”

Because the 49ers have the most cap space in the NFL, they are financially positioned to pay Purdy top dollar. However, this may mean steering away from other high-priced veterans. So far, the 49ers have built a strong roster and retained talent with Purdy having minimal cap impact.

An unnamed general manager told La Canfora that the 49ers may consider not paying Purdy next offseason, but instead continue to evaluate him over the next two seasons. Of course, if Purdy excels, his value will only increase.

“I would be really careful about paying the kid,” the executive said of Purdy. “Let him play his fourth year and then franchise him. …Or yeah, just get cousins. We see teams everywhere overpaying quarterbacks. I would be scared to death to give him that much money.”