The NFL season is nearly upon us, and proceeding it was an off-season for the ages. Trades, extensions, and trips to Egypt cultivated into getting us all (and I don’t use this term lightly) wildly stoked for football season. But despite the potential trade of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, not a ton of chatter is coming out of San Francisco. I believe this because the real questions about the ‘Niners will need to be answered by the league’s most interesting quarterback, Brock Purdy.
Last year, Brock Purdy was one of the least expensive quarterbacks ever to reach the Super Bowl. This year, still being on his rookie contract, Purdy will be paid less than a million dollars to play in the Bay. By contrast, Aiyuk, who leads the same team in receiving yards, is asking to be paid 35 million.
Purdy had the luxury of being surrounded by some of the strongest weapons, offensively and defensively, on any roster. His job was to nearly color within the lines, with the hopes that it would be enough to take this team over the hump; it wasn’t. This year poses an interesting set of questions for Brock. It being the final year of his rookie contract, does he continue to play within those boundaries, being surrounded by an “Avengers roster” ensuring that will be enough to get at least paid? Or will he dig deeper and take risks? Will he develop his style and become a truly unique part of San Francisco’s offense rather than another cog in it?
The pictures of Purdy putting on some serious size make it clear he’s trying to do things differently. It’s a stacked league, just like any year. We’ll need to wait and see if determination, hard work, and overall likeability will be enough for Brock Purdy to leave enough of a mark this season to earn a mega deal.
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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