Brock Purdy rookie contract: When 49ers QB is eligible for extension, 2023 salary
Brock Purdy has cashed in on his opportunities in the NFL over the last two years.
His latest feat includes leading the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl faster (and younger) than former Niners and Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana. And in the lead-up to Super 58 in Las Vegas, questions and conversations regarding his contract and when the 49ers will be able to extend the Arizona native have arisen.
Here's what you need to know about Purdy's contract, NFL rules for rookie contracts and more:
REQUIRED READING: San Francisco 49ers star Brock Purdy to be inducted into Chandler Sports Hall of Fame
Brock Purdy contract details
Purdy signed a four-year, $3.7 million contract with the 49ers after being selected with the last overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. His annual base salary of $934,252 ranks 54th among all NFL quarterbacks, per Over The Cap.
Length: Four years
Total Money: $3.7 million
Average base salary: $934,253
Here's a full year-by-year breakout of Purdy's contract according to Over The Cap:
2022: $705,000
2023: $870,000
2024: $985,000
2025: $1.1 million
2026: Unrestricted free agent
REQUIRED READING: 49ers QB Brock Purdy bringing light to Arizona high school football
When can Brock Purdy get an extension?
Purdy, who is in Year 2 of his four-year rookie contract, is not eligible to receive a contract extension until after the 2024 season. That is part of the NFL CBA that states rookies aren't eligible to renegotiate their contract until after a certain period of time.
Most NFL players on their first contract don't generate news about their second contracts — particularly this early in their rookie deals. But given Purdy's hot start for the 49ers, his situation is a massive exception to the rule.
NFL rules on rookie contracts
As stated in Article 7 of the NFL's CBA, "a rookie contract for a drafted rookie may not be renegotiated, amended or altered in any way until after the final regular season game of the player’s third contract year." So even if the 49ers wanted to reward him with a new contract this offseason, they wouldn't be able to start negotiations until after next year.
More from the NFL CBA:
"Every rookie contract shall have a fixed and unalterable contract length: (i) four years for Rookies selected in the first round of the draft, with a Club option for a fifth year as described in Section 7 below; (ii) four years for rookies selected in rounds two through seven of the draft (including any compensatory draft selections); and (iii) three years for undrafted rookies."
So a rookie drafted in the first round of the NFL draft will earn a four-year contract with a fifth-year club option, while those selected in Rounds 2-7 will get a four-year contract. Meanwhile, undrafted rookie free agents will receive a three-year deal.
Length for first-round draft picks: Four years, club option for fifth year
Length for draft picks in rounds two through seven: Four years
Length for undrafted rookie free agents: Three years
Salaries for drafted rookies are predetermined by the draft slot at which they get selected by their team. The minimum salary for undrafted rookie free agents is $750,000 per year. A rookie contract can't be renegotiated or extended until the conclusion of a player completed his third NFL regular season.
REQUIRED READING: Brock Purdy quiets critics with 49ers' comeback: 'Heck of a game manager'
Highest-paid NFL QBs
Purdy has performed as one of the NFL's top quarterbacks the last two seasons — 5,654 yards with 44 touchdown passes, an NFC conference title and an appearance in the Super Bowl — since taking over for former 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. But Mr. Irrelevant (i.e., the last pick of the draft) isn't paid as one. ]
Here's a full breakdown of the top 10 highest paid QBs annually in the NFL according to Over The Cap:
1. Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals): $55 million
2. Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers): $52.5 million
3. Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens): $52 million
4. Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles): $51 million
5. Russell Wilson (Denver Broncos): $49 million
6. Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals): $46.1 million
7. Deshaun Watson (Cleveland Browns): $46 million
8. Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs): $45 million
9. Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills): $43 million
T-10. Daniel Jones (New York Giants): $40 million
T-10. Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams): $40 million
T-10. Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys): $40 million
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Brock Purdy's contract, explained: When 49ers QB is eligible for extension
