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Few people would have imagined the San Francisco 49ers had found their franchise quarterback when they drafted Brock Purdy with the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Usually Mr. Irrelevant doesn't make it to an NFL roster, let alone become a starting player, which makes Purdy's career path since then all the more remarkable.
Thrown into the fire by the 49ers in 2022 due to injuries to to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, Purdy hasn't looked back since, establishing himself as the guy in San Francisco, which is why the team is ready to pay him the money necessary to keep him in California.
A new deal could net Purdy as much as $50 million a year, maybe even more, and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is hoping that negotiations don't drag out for very long.
"I hope not,' Shanahan said on Tuesday about the possibility of Purdy missing time with the team while a new contract gets worked out.
"And I know Brock doesn't want to do that. We don't want him to do that. I mean, no one wants to do that. But these are negotiations that go on between agents and our organization and it's over a lot of money and stuff.
"Those aren't just things that you just knock out right away. But I believe that we will (sign him). I hope that we do. And hopefully, it won't come into any football stuff."
49ers have cleared cap space for Purdy
After a disappointing season that saw them fail to make the playoffs, the 49ers have spent most of the offseason clearing up cap space in order to make room for a new Purdy contract.
That included trading fan favorite Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders.
Nevertheless the 49ers still have plenty of talent around Purdy to make the team a success on the field. Christian McCaffrey remains one of the best running backs in the league despite suffering a season-ending injury last season.
With Samuel gone, the door is open for former first round pick Ricky Pearsall to step up as well.
While much will be expected from the 49ers skill position players, getting Purdy's contract done remains the top priority as San Francisco looks to reestablish itself as a top team in the NFL.