David Gonzales-Imagn images

While Brock Purdy is still on pace to break the San Francisco 49ers’ single-season franchise record for passing yards that he set last season, the quarterback is coming off one of the worst games of his career, throwing three interceptions in a 28-18. loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Within the 49ers’ building, confidence in Purdy remains high. Still, critics suggest his performance in Week 7 proves he may be overrated as he can’t carry the team without top-tier offensive playmakers.

In an intriguing piece for The Washington Post, Jason La Canfora examined Purdy’s recent struggles in a season where the 49ers defense has yet to reach elite form and the quarterback is still without game-changing running back Christian McCaffrey and now wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. who is out for the season.

While Purdy is on pace for more than 4,400 passing yards, his passer rating has dropped from a league-leading 113.0 last season to 91.2 this season, and his touchdown rate has dropped from an NFL-best 7.0% to 4.2% . Purdy has thrown seven interceptions in seven games, a number he didn’t reach until Week 14 last season.

With Purdy likely to be eligible for a contract extension after this season, there is increasing discussion about the price tag. Some believe he could join the ranks of the league’s highest-paid players, and perhaps even set the standard. That would likely put him in the $60 million annual range, similar to Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who the 49ers face Sunday night.

La Canfora suggests such a figure may be too high for a quarterback who isn’t universally considered elite. He suggests the 49ers consider an alternative, possibly pursuing Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​— a longtime favorite of head coach Kyle Shanahan — as a “potential escape hatch” from a massive Purdy contract in 2025.

While Cousins ​​signed with the Falcons this year, the team drafted Michael Penix Jr. also in eighth place in the overall rankings. Cousins’ stats this season are similar to Purdy’s, and his addition would provide upside some hood relief. However, Cousins ​​will be 37 at the start of next season, while Purdy will only be 25. Such a move would force the 49ers to once again look for a long-term quarterback.

An unnamed NFL personnel official agrees with La Canfora’s assessment.

“I really try to stay open-minded and not just be influenced by what I saw when I scouted him in college,” the director told La Canfora. “But Kyle has to see what I see. You can win with him, while everything else is great around him, but you’re not going to win because of him. The roster is getting older and beat up and the roster is getting older and older. you pay him.

“You saw him collapse last year when everything wasn’t perfect. You know how I feel about this, and it’s on film. He’s an elite backup for me more than anything. He’s a man, he’s not.” the boy. …And I hear the same thing you do about Cousins. I absolutely see that. You can’t give this guy $50 or $60 million.”

Armed with the most cap space in the NFL, the 49ers are financially positioned to pay Purdy top dollar. Doing so could mean distancing yourself from other expensive veterans. So far, the 49ers have built a strong roster and retained talent thanks to Purdy’s minimal cap impact.

An unnamed general manager told La Canfora that the 49ers might consider not paying Purdy next season, instead using the next two seasons to further evaluate him. Of course, if Purdy excels, his value will only increase.

“I would be very careful about paying that kid,” the general manager said of Purdy. ‘Let him play out his fourth year and then give him a franchise. Or yeah, just go get Cousins. We see teams overpaying quarterbacks everywhere. I would be terrified to give him all that money.”