SANTA CLARA — Letters from concerned 49ers fans have been piling up in our social media mailbox, so let’s get around to answering them:
When do you anticipate the Purdy deal being done? (@somesportstake)
When do you see Purdy’s contract getting done? It seems like so much other business hinges on this issue. (@michael_budd)
Both sides are devoted to a deal, but that doesn’t mean one is coming overnight, when no hard deadline looms. Talks are sure to resume at next week’s scouting combine. The April 21 start of the offseason program is a soft target, but May 5 looms larger once coaches are allowed to work with Purdy and players on the field. Then comes minicamp a month later, and training camp in late July (see: hard deadline).
This is the 49ers’ No. 1 business priority. It will be their biggest contract ever. Most intriguing, at least to me, is how long both sides commit to this contract, more so than where exactly his annual salary falls between $50 million and $60-plus million. Purdy’s agent, Kyle Strongin, has every right to start at Dak Prescott’s $60 million-per-year ceiling.
The 49ers, after years of rewarding their own at market-setting rates, can’t undermine Purdy’s position and stature by lowballing him. Yet, they must protect themselves against his history with shoulder and elbow injuries. His initial guaranteed money should cover at least three seasons, so ballpark $170 million more than he’s earned the past three.
What are your realistic free agency projections and under the radar moves people aren’t talking about? (@chrisj1914)
Aside from pursuing a starting lineman (defense, or offense), the 49ers are more likely to spend their money on in-house talent, like last year. This goes beyond extensions for Purdy and tight end George Kittle, who I predict will sign a lengthy third contract that assures he retires a 49er.
An under-the-radar headache that could really impact this offseason’s spending: Fred Warner’s contract extension. He’s owed $17.7 million in salary each of the next two seasons, and the 49ers will have to do for him what they did a year ago in paying more to Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams. Dre Greenlaw’s future isn’t directly tied to Warner’s extension, but it’s hard to see these 49ers also affording Greenlaw, whose health is a bigger red flag than any monetary demands.
What’s your ideal pick for No. 11, position-wise? (@VTECMCMLXXX)
Defensive line. Specifically, defensive end, where they need a greater threat to bring the best out of their biggest investment, Nick Bosa. Speaking of, if the Los Angeles Chargers release older brother Joey Bosa in the coming weeks, then the 49ers definitely should look to double up on their Bosa count, and that would shift their draft’s first-round focus.
A defensive tackle or two will help, but this regime has rarely hit on that spot in the draft: Solomon Thomas, D.J. Jones, Kentavius Street, Julian Taylor, Javon Kinlaw, and, Kalia Davis.
Is DeForest Buckner a more realistic trade target over guys like Crosby and Garrett? You can probably keep the No. 11 pick, Deebo may be an attractive vet with a developing QB like Richardson, and his former DC just got hired onto Saleh’s staff. (@seathotter)
That all sounds very reasonable, until you follow the money. Buckner got a contract extension last April, and the Colts would incur a $37 million hit on their cap if he’s jettisoned now.
CMC update? (@coreys.reed)
Nothing yet. And you probably won’t trust anything until the first snap of the regular season, if 2024 Week 1 was a lesson, about Christian McCaffrey and any other player’s uncertain health. He spoke optimistically about his health at season’s end, and the 49ers desperately need him to return to 2023 Offensive Player of the Year form.
What happened to Deebo? (@fatboy.soccer2.0) What team should Deebo go to? (@emanuel_hinojosa18)
Deebo Samuel peaked in 2021, although 2023 saw him score 12 touchdowns (none in the playoffs). The 49ers needed his all-around versatility to shine in place of McCaffrey last year, and instead he couldn’t chug around the corner or make clutch catches. In last year’s Super Bowl, he caught 3-of-11 targets for 33 yards; on Super Bowl Sunday this year, he went public with a trade demand. The Denver Broncos’ Sean Payton might think he could tap more out of Samuel, and the Miami Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel could trigger a rebirth with their reunion. Whether it’s instead Pittsburgh, New York or a South-division squad (AFC or NFC), Samuel is not the same threat he was as a 2021 All-Pro.
What do you see the Niners doing at kicker – draft or free agent? (@raymondp33)
Their 2023 third-round investment in Jake Moody is a sunk cost at this point. But it’s still worth seeing how he fares – with a healthy ankle, unlike last season — in a competition under new special-teams coordinator Brant Boyer. Or they can cut ties and go with BVA – best veteran available.
Will the Niners take BPA in the draft at No. 11? (@wojaen19)
Will that best player available immediately fill an opening for a Super Bowl LX push, or one who can be groomed into a long-term starter? This aging regime needs to push for a win-now player.
Any way 49ers don’t draft OL or DL in first round? (@podman61)
There shouldn’t be, but there is always a way. Should they elect to bypass left tackle Trent Williams’ successor or a fixer to their defensive line, that leaves cornerback, tight end, wide receiver, linebacker, running back, and safety. Nope, it’s gotta be a lineman, right?
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How do sideline passes work? Do you have to know someone or can you buy them? (@jennyann1982)
It’s more who you know, specifically if someone has connections to a player or staff member. They’re not for sale to the general public. The bigger the game, the more infested the pregame sidelines are with temporary visitors and distractions.
How open is their Super Bowl window? (@caballoruiz)
I can still feel a draft, no draft pun intended.
What are the chances of the 49ers getting No. 6 at Levi’s Stadium? (@the_realgr8t1)
The odds are not in the 49ers’ favor, but with a galaxy of stars returning healthy and a soft schedule in the works, I wouldn’t be shocked to see them hoist the Lombardi Trophy Feb. 8 at home.
