The 49ers have publicly said they want to commit fully to Brock Purdy, but what if contract talks break down and he's put on the trade block?
By all accounts, including those from the team itself, the San Francisco 49ers want and are optimistic about quarterback Brock Purdy remaining with the franchise as a well-paid centerpiece.
Recent comments from head coach Kyle Shanahan, general manager John Lynch and even CEO Jed York have all pointed at the ongoing contract-extension talks progressing in the right direction, a far cry from the contemptuous negotiations that existed on previous conversations with other stars like wide receiver Deebo Samuel, defensive end Nick Bosa and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
The Niners' front office was reportedly upset with how those extensions for Samuel, Bosa and Aiyuk were handled, and a newfound cost-cutting campaign suggests they won't be anywhere near as lenient when it comes to caving to player demands.
Perhaps this includes Purdy now. Or maybe it doesn't. It's hard to say.
This is all hypothetical, of course. But, let's assume Purdy's camp demands contract terms San Francisco absolutely won't approach, leading to yet another standoff. The 49ers have leverage, including letting Purdy play out the final year of his current deal, plus the option of back-to-back franchise tags in 2026 and 2027.
Yet Purdy has leverage, too, particularly having saved the Niners millions in spend while playing at an MVP level, particularly in 2023 when he helped take San Francisco to the Super Bowl.
Of course, there's one way to end an impasse: trading Purdy.
While it seems oh-so unlikely, what would the 49ers be able to command in return if they ultimately made Purdy available for a trade heading into the 2025 NFL Draft?
What could 49ers get in return if they trade Brock Purdy
First, let's state the obvious.
Quarterbacks command much more in value (both monetary and draft resources) than any other position. While some may not view Purdy as truly elite, the fact he plays the most important position in sports only drives up his value.
On top of that, the 2025 draft class is relatively thin and top-heavy at quarterback, effectively leaving Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart and arguably Jalen Milroe within the top-100 prospects.
There are more teams in need of quarterbacks than there are prospective ones available who have any promise.
Sports Illustrated's Grant Cohn proposed an idea of the top-drafting Tennessee Titans passing on Ward at No. 1 overall, using it for Penn State edge Abdul Carter, while also trading for Purdy (although it doesn't appear as if Cohn realized Tennessee doesn't have two first-round picks to do this):
"The Titans currently own the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft and are expected to take Miami quarterback Cam Ward. But most draft analysts agree that Ward isn't the best prospect in the draft -- Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter.
So instead of drafting Ward, the Titans could draft Carter and trade for Purdy. They would send a first-round pick this year and a conditional second-rounder next year that could become a first-rounder if the Titans make the playoffs and Purdy stays healthy."
Meanwhile, Cohn suggested Shanahan could turn to the recently acquired Mac Jones as a would-be Purdy replacement under center.
Forgetting Carter, Purdy netting two first-round picks (including No. 1 overall) from Tennessee is a far-flung reach, especially considering the Niners signal-caller is coming off a down year right before his eligibility for a potential market-resetting extension. Trading two Round 1 picks, particularly the first overall selection, simply wouldn't happen.
That said, quarterbacks are valued higher than any other position, and Purdy's reputation as being a quality player is certainly felt within league circles even if it's not fully embraced by league fans and media.
And again, there are more quarterback-needy teams than options at this point.
Teams drafting outside the top five, including the New York Jets (No. 7 overall), New Orleans Saints (No. 9 overall) and Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 21 overall), all potentially have long-term questions at the position, but even they may be hesitant to dish out their respective first-rounders to San Francisco in exchange for Purdy.
Now, a package of second- and/or third-round picks seems much more reasonable.
At best, should the 49ers actually entertain a Purdy trade, another team could get desperate and shell out a Round 1 selection after wholly missing out on the top three prospects.
In reality, though, Purdy likely wouldn't command anything higher than a Round 2 pick, plus some proverbial draft change.
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