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The San Francisco 49ers didn’t just tinker with their roster this offseason. They tore it down and reassembled it around one essential cornerstone: quarterback Brock Purdy. As other teams scramble to find their signal-caller of the future, San Francisco doubled down on theirs. They rewarded Purdy with a five-year, $265 million extension. It’s a massive deal for a former seventh-round pick and the single most defining decision of their offseason. Sure, some of the headlines out of Santa Clara revolved around exits and cap casualties. However, it’s this commitment to Purdy that will shape the franchise’s next five seasons—and possibly more.
Yes, the 49ers may not have explicitly declared 2025 a reset year. That said, their actions certainly hinted at one. General manager John Lynch took a scalpel to one of the NFL’s most balanced rosters. They traded away Deebo Samuel and released defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. They also let key veterans walk in free agency. The exodus included guard Aaron Banks, cornerback Charvarius Ward, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, and safety Talanoa Hufanga. Each was a critical contributor in recent years.
It was a staggering amount of turnover for a team that was just one win away from a Super Bowl in recent seasons. The 49ers responded by adding 11 players in the draft. These included first-rounder Mykel Williams. He is a gifted pass rusher but a developmental project. San Francisco hopes players like Williams and third-round linebacker Nick Martin can step into major roles sooner than later. Still, neither looks like an instant star.
The splashiest move not involving a player? They brought back former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh after his stint with the New York Jets. Saleh’s return should help restore some stability to a defense that struggled with consistency since his departure in 2021. It’s a homecoming that makes sense. However, it’s not what will ultimately define this 49ers era.
Here we’ll try to look at the single best move that the the San Francisco 49ers executed in the 2025 NFL offseason.
Among the many decisions San Francisco made this offseason, none was more impactful—or more necessary—than extending Brock Purdy. With one year left on his rookie deal, Purdy inked an extension that places him among the highest-paid quarterbacks in football. It’s a leap of faith—but one rooted in logic.
Since taking over the starting role in 2022, Purdy has done nothing but win. He doesn’t have the arm strength of Patrick Mahomes or the raw athleticism of Lamar Jackson. However, he has complete command of Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Purdy’s ability to make quick reads and his chemistry with skill-position players helped the 49ers field one of the league’s most efficient offenses during his tenure.
In locking in Purdy, the 49ers are making two key bets. First, that his performance over the past few seasons wasn’t a fluke. And second, that they can build a sustainable roster around his now-expensive contract. It’s not unlike the model Kansas City followed with...
