The San Francisco 49ers are facing a season far below expectations in 2024, and big changes could be looming for the franchise. After a tough loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the 49ers have dropped to 3-4 on the season, putting them on the outskirts of playoff contention. With injuries piling up and the team struggling to find momentum, questions are beginning to swirl about the future of the organization, particularly regarding quarterback Brock Purdy.
The 49ers have been plagued by a series of devastating injuries. Star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL, and Christian McCaffrey, one of the league’s most dynamic offensive weapons, has yet to play a single snap due to injury. To make matters worse, Deebo Samuel has been sidelined with an illness, further depleting the team’s offensive firepower. With key players missing, the 49ers’ path forward looks even more challenging.
In a recent column for The Athletic, writer Mike Sando gathered insights from NFL executives around the league to address the 49ers’ struggles. While all the executives acknowledged San Francisco’s issues, one in particular raised eyebrows with a bold suggestion: the team should consider moving on from Brock Purdy.
Purdy, famously known for being the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft (earning him the “Mr. Irrelevant” moniker), has become one of the league’s most intriguing stories. He quickly rose from a backup to a starter, and his efficient play last season made him a key figure in the 49ers’ offense. However, despite his Cinderella story, one NFL executive suggested that Purdy might not be the long-term solution for the 49ers as he nears a massive contract extension.
“They need to make a decision about whether they should just be moving on from this older core and building around Purdy, or do they trade Purdy, get stuff for him, and go with a cheaper option at quarterback?” the executive said in the column.
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While Purdy has performed admirably so far this season, he hasn’t exactly been the game-changer the 49ers need to rise to the top. Through seven games, Purdy has thrown for 1,841 yards with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. He ranks second in the league in passing yards, but his high interception count and middle-of-the-pack touchdown numbers have raised concerns about his ability to elevate the team.
The executive was blunt in his critique of Purdy’s performance: “It’s about being a guy, being a dude, and Purdy is not in that ‘dude’ category.”
This comment alludes to the idea that Purdy, while solid, may not be the kind of elite quarterback who can single-handedly carry a team, like a Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson. While some might argue that the 49ers need an MVP-caliber quarterback to push them over the edge, the reality of landing such a talent is more fantasy than feasible. High-level quarterback-coach pairings are rare, and teams that have them typically stick with what works.
“A lot of people would trade their situations with San Francisco,” the executive admitted. “They just aren’t as deep as they typically have been.”
Indeed, the 49ers have one of the most respected front offices in the NFL and a proven head coach in Kyle Shanahan. But with injuries to key players and questions surrounding Purdy’s ability to take the team to the next level, there’s growing uncertainty about whether the team can salvage its season.
The 49ers face a pivotal game against the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday. A win would push them to 4-4 heading into their bye week, keeping their playoff hopes alive and likely solidifying Purdy’s role for the remainder of the season.
But if they lose and fall to 3-5, the team could be looking at a very different trajectory, potentially becoming sellers at the trade deadline and focusing on a rebuild for 2025.
While trading Purdy seems like a drastic and unlikely move, the very fact that it’s being discussed shows the level of pressure the 49ers are facing. Whether the team chooses to stick with their current quarterback or explore other options, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining the future direction of the franchise.
