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The San Francisco 49ers didn’t just tinker with their roster this offseason. They tore it down and reassembled it around one essential cornerstone: quarterback Brock Purdy. As other teams scramble to find their signal-caller of the future, San Francisco doubled down on theirs. They rewarded Purdy with a five-year, $265 million extension. It’s a massive deal for a former seventh-round pick and the single most defining decision of their offseason. Sure, some of the headlines out of Santa Clara revolved around exits and cap casualties. However, it’s this commitment to Purdy that will shape the franchise’s next five seasons—and possibly more.
A Tumultuous Transition
Yes, the 49ers may not have explicitly declared 2025 a reset year. That said, their actions certainly hinted at one. General manager John Lynch took a scalpel to one of the NFL's most balanced rosters. They traded away Deebo Samuel and released defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. They also let key veterans walk in free agency. The exodus included guard Aaron Banks, cornerback Charvarius Ward, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, and safety Talanoa Hufanga. Each was a critical contributor in recent years.
It was a staggering amount of turnover for a team that was just one win away from a Super Bowl in recent seasons. The 49ers responded by adding 11 players in the draft. These included first-rounder Mykel Williams. He is a gifted pass rusher but a developmental project. San Francisco hopes players like Williams and third-round linebacker Nick Martin can step into major roles sooner than later. Still, neither looks like an instant star.
The splashiest move not involving a player? They brought back former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh after his stint with the New York Jets. Saleh's return should help restore some stability to a defense that struggled with consistency since his departure in 2021. It’s a homecoming that makes sense. However, it’s not what will ultimately define this 49ers era.
Here we'll try to look at the single best move that the the San Francisco 49ers executed in the 2025 NFL offseason.
A Franchise-Defining Gamble
Among the many decisions San Francisco made this offseason, none was more impactful—or more necessary—than extending Brock Purdy. With one year left on his rookie deal, Purdy inked an extension that places him among the highest-paid quarterbacks in football. It’s a leap of faith—but one rooted in logic.
Since taking over the starting role in 2022, Purdy has done nothing but win. He doesn’t have the arm strength of Patrick Mahomes or the raw athleticism of Lamar Jackson. However, he has complete command of Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Purdy's ability to make quick reads and his chemistry with skill-position players helped the 49ers field one of the league’s most efficient offenses during his tenure.
In locking in Purdy, the 49ers are making two key bets. First, that his performance over the past few seasons wasn’t a fluke. And second, that they can build a sustainable roster around his now-expensive contract. It’s not unlike the model Kansas City followed with Mahomes or the one Philadelphia deployed around Jalen Hurts.
Right Move, Steep Price
To the skeptics, $265 million for a quarterback who was once labeled “Mr. Irrelevant” might seem absurd. That said, to San Francisco, it’s about securing stability at the most important position in sports. Purdy isn’t just a placeholder or a product of Shanahan’s system. He’s the system’s ideal operator.
The alternative? Let Purdy play out 2025, risk a bidding war, and potentially lose him. In today’s NFL, that’s a gamble teams can’t afford to take. By signing him now, Lynch and company gain cost-certainty. They can also build a roster with a clearer understanding of future cap implications.
Plus, there’s no ignoring the message this sends. By paying Purdy, the 49ers are telling the locker room that they have their guy. That continuity matters, especially for a team that has seen star players leave and big personalities walk through the exit doors this spring.
What Comes Next?
The road ahead will be difficult. The roster, while still talented, isn’t as deep or fearsome as in years past. Of course, with a franchise quarterback locked in, the 49ers are better positioned to weather those storms. The expectation is that Shanahan and Saleh can elevate young players and remain a playoff contender in the short term.
The big test will be how the team navigates roster construction in a post-Deebo, post-Hargrave world. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk remains as a top option. In addition, Christian McCaffrey continues to be an all-purpose weapon. Depth is thinner, though, and the margin for error is smaller.
Anchoring the Future
The 49ers lost a lot this offseason—but they kept what matters most. The Brock Purdy extension wasn’t just the best move of their 2025 offseason—it was essential to the franchise’s long-term survival. Amid roster attrition and fan anxiety, San Francisco chose stability, leadership, and belief in a player who’s already defied the odds.
It may not be enough to make them immediate Super Bowl contenders again—but it keeps them relevant, competitive, and poised to reload rather than rebuild. In the NFL, that’s worth every penny.
