NFL Exec: Purdy Contract ‘a Slam Dunk’ Until TNF, 49ers QB ‘Can’t Make Those Throws’

Brock Purdy’s struggles during a 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football may impact his future contract negotiations with the team.

“The new contract for Purdy [in the offseason] was a slam dunk for me until Thursday night,” one NFL executive told Mike Sando of The Athletic. “What I saw was a guy who was so limited physically that, I’m not saying I don’t want him, it’s just the first time I’ve said, ‘Hmmm, he can’t make those throws.'”

Purdy completed a season-low 45.2 percent of his throws for 142 yards and an interception without recording a touchdown. The 49ers were only able to muster 191 total yards on offense, averaging a mere 3.6 yards per play.

It marked the first time that San Francisco finished a regular-season game with a single-digit scoring total since Week 7 of the team’s 2019 campaign.

Rainy conditions certainly impacted Purdy’s efficiency, as Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford also threw for just 160 yards and averaged 5.9 yards per attempt. Still, the executive was far from impressed with the 24-year-old’s performance as San Francisco’s season was on the line.

The 49ers now sit two games behind Los Angeles for the NFC West lead at 6-8, with the Rams holding a tiebreaker after sweeping their division rival in both 2024 matchups.

San Francisco may not be swayed by Purdy’s subpar performance, though. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported on Saturday that the 49ers still view him as their franchise quarterback and plan on negotiating a multi-year extension with him during the offseason.

In 13 starts this season, Purdy has completed 65 percent of his passes for 3,174 yards and 15 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions. He’s also picked up 285 yards and four more scores on the ground.

After not being able to build off his breakout 2023 campaign that included 31 touchdown passes and a Pro Bowl nod, the 49ers could take his latest subpar performance into account when negotiating a long-term deal with the quarterback.