After spending the previous two seasons considering the right way to reward their franchise quarterback for his stellar work as a starter, the San Francisco 49ers now must plot out the right way to construct a roster round a big-money quarterback. With Brock Purdy commanding $265 million on a five-year deal, the 49ers should encompass him with an elite assortment of playmakers and move protectors, whereas retooling a protection that has misplaced a number of the swagger and sack manufacturing that made it one of many league’s most feared items.
Maybe CEO Jed York, normal supervisor John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have already crafted a number of variations of a plan designed to maintain the workforce in title competition, whereas upgrading the depth chart to make sure Purdy has the encompassing personnel to assist him keep the gold normal of quarterback play that has the Trustworthy reminiscing about days of Joe Montana and Steve Younger.
Given Purdy’s 23-13 file, 67.5% completion charge, 64:27 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 104.9 passer ranking by way of 40 profession video games (36 begins), together with a spectacular 2023 marketing campaign, it’s straightforward to check the 49ers hoisting a Lombardi Trophy with him on the helm if they make the best strikes to intensify his sport and elevate his play because the QB1 of a perennial title contender.
Listed here are 5 issues the 49ers should do shifting ahead to win with Purdy on a big-money extension.
Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers appears on towards the Miami Dolphins through the first half of the sport at Exhausting Rock Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photograph by Megan Briggs/Getty Photographs)
1. Construct a dominant operating sport round CMC and others within the backfield
The 49ers’ offense begins and ends with an old-school operating sport that transforms pedestrian runners into 1,000-yard rushers, and Professional Bowl-caliber playmakers into MVP candidates. Christian McCaffrey has flashed gold-jacket potential because the RB1 in a scheme that permits him to work the perimeters and between the tackles on zone and hole scheme runs. The 2-time All-Professional is averaging 115.5 scrimmage yards, together with 77.6 speeding yards, in 31 video games with the Niners. As well as, he has scored 31 complete touchdowns and claimed a speeding title with the membership.
Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes through the sport towards the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 20-17. (Photograph by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Photographs)
Whereas CMC is definitely the straw that stirs the drink, the 49ers have been capable of submit stable numbers on the bottom with a set of super-subs filling in at operating again. Whether or not it was Jordan Mason (5.2) or Isaac Guerendo (5.0) final 12 months, the 49ers averaged not less than 5 yards per carry when one of many backups carries the ball because the non permanent RB1. With the regular manufacturing forcing opponents to load the field out of respect for the operating sport, the 49ers’ floor assault is essential for creating big-play alternatives for Purdy off play-action passes.
2. Stockpile the lineup with “catch-and-run” specialists on the perimeter
The 49ers’ success by way of the air is sparked by their skill to rework quick passes into large performs as a result of explosiveness of their perimeter pass-catchers. Since Shanahan took over in 2017, the 49ers have prioritized operating abilities with their wideouts as a part of an effort to maximise the potential yardage after every catch. The workforce has coveted playmakers with punt return expertise to make sure their perimeter receivers possess the talent, toughness and call stability to run round or by way of defenders in area.
Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk have been so efficient as runners that the group earned the nickname “YAC Bros.” resulting from their skill to rack up yardage within the open subject. Although Samuel is not in a 49ers uniform, Kittle and Aiyuk are joined by Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall on the perimeter to proceed the custom in 2025. Measuring 6-foot-3, 215 kilos, Jennings is a former highschool dual-threat quarterback with a rugged sport. He bullies his well beyond defenders, displaying excellent power and energy with the ball in his fingers.
Ricky Pearsall #14 of the San Francisco 49ers runs after making a catch through the sport towards the Detroit Lions at Levi’s Stadium on December 30, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. The Lions defeated the 49ers 40-34. (Photograph by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Photographs)
Pearsall is a slick route-runner with punt return expertise at Florida (and Arizona State). Regardless of receiving restricted snaps in 2024, the previous first-rounder is an explosive participant with the ball in his fingers. Whereas he lacks the scale to run by way of defenders, the second-year professional flashes the pace, quickness, and burst to zip previous defenders on crossers and diagonals.
Given the 49ers’ basketball team-like versatility inside their WR corps, Purdy ought to proceed to submit spectacular numbers in a high-percentage offense that depends closely on “catch-and-run” ideas to a set of rugged playmakers with big-play potential.
3. Hold the pocket clear for Purdy
The 49ers’ much-maligned offensive line is seemingly in want of a makeover after a disappointing season in entrance of Purdy & Co. The leaky move safety usually left the 6-foot-1 pinpoint passer beneath duress, whereas the inconsistent push within the operating sport hindered the 49ers’ potential play-action aerial assault.
Whereas many of the focus has been on who will finally succeed Trent Williams on the sting, the 49ers imagine of their developmental course of beneath offensive line coach Chris Foerster. The veteran has a knack for reworking unheralded gamers into stable starters in an unique smash-mouth system that contains a “plug-and-play” factor for runners and blockers. Very similar to longtime operating backs’ coach Bobby Taylor has persistently found and developed late-round operating backs into gems, the 49ers are relying on Foerster to rework a set of low-cost free brokers, developmental prospects, and reclamation initiatives into an upper-echelon entrance line.
Though the outcomes have been disappointing final season, the cost-effective method will allow the 49ers to soak up Purdy’s big-money contract whereas buying premium property at marquee positions. Furthermore, the budget-conscious plan will assist the 49ers keep on with the blueprint (dominant operating sport + explosive play-action aerial assault + suffocating protection = wins) that has made them perennial title contenders within the NFC.
Trent Williams #71 of the San Francisco defends throughout an NFL Soccer sport towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photograph by Michael Owens/Getty Photographs)
With the 49ers dedicated to giving Ben Bartch, Dominick Puni, Austen Pleasants, Spencer Burford and Andre Dillard probabilities to carve out roles as short-term and long-term starters, the Trustworthy must belief the method in terms of the event and enchancment of the O-line.
There’s additionally the matter of 36-year-old Trent Williams, who returns after lacking greater than half of final season. The 49ers will quickly have to search out an eventual successor to make sure Purdy not often offers with chaos from the blindside. Whether or not the workforce invests in a high-priced free agent or makes use of a high decide so as to add a franchise-caliber sort out to the combination, the 49ers should prioritize discovering a premier edge blocker to guard their hefty funding of their younger QB1.
4. Draft and develop a championship-caliber protection
After dropping $265 million on Purdy to safe an important place on the workforce, the 49ers should decide to constructing a championship protection with a set of younger, low cost defenders surrounding a few stars within the lineup. With Nick Bosa and Fred Warner established and paid like superstars, the 49ers have dedicated to the “draft-and-develop” course of for the foreseeable future.
The workforce chosen defenders with their first 5 picks within the 2025 NFL Draft and added six complete defensive stalwarts to a unit that seeks to re-emerge as a disruptive drive beneath former and new defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. The previous New York Jets chief has efficiently developed a bunch of younger defenders all through his time as a head coach and coordinator; the 49ers’ need to construct a championship protection by way of the draft hinges on his developmental abilities.
Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Mykel Williams (13) through the school soccer sport between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs on November 16, 2024, on Dooley Discipline at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photograph by John Adams/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs)
Because the 49ers try to include Mykel Williams (EDGE, Georgia), Alfred Collins (DT, Texas) Nick Martin (DL, Oklahoma State), Upton Stout (CB, Western Kentucky) and C.J. West (DT, Indiana) right into a lineup that wanted upgrades, significantly alongside the entrance line, the mixture of personnel and training might produce spectacular outcomes between the traces.
As Purdy’s large cash begins to place a dent within the cap in 2026, the 49ers might want to lean on youthful gamers to stability out the books. With Saleh’s historical past of crafting high defenses with newbies dotting the lineup, the 49ers’ dedication to a “draft-and-develop” mannequin ought to assist the workforce successfully handle a roster that contains a quarterback commanding large cash.
5. Kyle Shanahan should keep away from the temptation to justify Purdy’s contract
Regardless of the questions surrounding the 49ers’ choice to reward their franchise quarterback with a contract that places him close to the highest of the market, the workforce can not deviate from the profitable blueprint that keyed Purdy’s success. As an environment friendly passer with a pass-first level guard mentality, the previous seventh-round decide has been an ideal slot in an offense directed by a schematic wizard. Shanahan’s sensible play designs and well timed playcalling make it straightforward for the fourth-year professional to string collectively completions and produce “explosive” performs on fastidiously scripted deep photographs.
Brock Purdy #13 and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers within the locker room earlier than the sport towards the New Orleans Saints at Levi’s Stadium on August 18, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Saints 16-10. (Photograph by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Photographs)
Taking a look at Purdy’s spectacular 2023 marketing campaign (69.4% completion charge, 4,280 move yards, 31:11 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and 113.0 passer ranking), it coincided with CMC main the NFL in speeding yards (1,459), scrimmage yards (2,023), and mixed scores (21). Given the two-time All-Professional’s impression, the 49ers mustn’t depart from a profitable blueprint that places the franchise quarterback in a supporting function with the RB1 main the best way.
Whereas the cash suggests Purdy ought to carry the offense because the NFL’s latest member of the “$50 Million Membership,” the 49ers are at their greatest when the QB1 operates like a high-end sport supervisor if his function stays the identical inside an offense that’s loaded with blue-chip gamers round him.
Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports activities. He additionally breaks down the sport for NFL Community and as a cohost of the “Shifting the Sticks” podcast. Comply with him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.
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