Puka Nacua is skeptical of 49ers window if Brock Purdy’s extension is $50 million per year

Puka Nacua is skeptical of 49ers’ window if they extend Brock Purdy

The San Francisco 49ers hit the reset button this offseason, with nearly half of the team’s starters from Super Bowl LVIII in new places, including Deebo Samuel, Javon Hargrave, Dre Greenlaw, Arik Armstead and Charvarius Ward.

Simply put, the 49ers wanted to get younger while clearing the decks for the future, where they will have over $55 million in cap space in 2026 and over $100 million in 2026, according to Over The Cap. However, they still have one very big decision looming over their head: Potentially extending quarterback Brock Purdy, the 49ers’ beloved “Mr. Irrelevant,” who’s in the final year of his current contract because he wasn’t a first-round pick (no fifth-year option).

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is skeptical about his rival’s window if the 49ers pay Purdy upwards of $50 million per year, which is the expected going rate for the signal caller.

“I don’t think so,” Nacua told Julian Edelman on the Games With Names podcast when asked if he thought Purdy was worthy of $50 million per. “I think mid-4s ($40 million) range. I think so.”

“He seems like a smart guy. They have a chance to still be in their window. And I think if he goes for 5 ($50 million), then the window closes.”

Purdy, 25, completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 3,864 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions across 15 games a year ago. His best year was 2023, his first full year as a starter, when he tossed 31 touchdowns (to 11 interceptions), leading San Francisco to a 12-4 record and an NFC Title.

Of course, how the cash flow is structured with the guaranteed money and signing bonus will be very important to the team’s flexibility (or lack thereof). But assuming his extension averaged $50 million flat (beginning in 2026), his average annual value among quarterbacks would be the 11th-highest in the NFL, ahead of Kyler Murray ($46.1M), Deshaun Watson ($46M) and Kirk Cousins ($45M).

Puka Nacua is aiming to retire at 30-years-old

Purdy’s a good quarterback, but one could argue his skillset has been maximized not only because of the offense he runs, but also the supporting cast around him. He still has Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle, but Purdy will have to shoulder a greater burden than he has in years past. If you’re allocating $50 million per year to any quarterback, he better be able to handle it. I wouldn’t say the jury’s out that he can’t, but there are serious questions whether or not he will be able to for a full season.

Additionally, paying him doesn’t mean San Francisco won’t have to make additional cost-cutting moves in future seasons to maintain some flexibility. If general manager John Lynch won’t pay him, the smartest move is to trade him to a move that will if the right deal presents itself, though I’m not sure if that option is on the table.

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