Brock Purdy & George Kittle Not On the Same Page as Rams WR Outs Kyle Shanahan’s & 49ers’ Contract Tactics

Having made just $1.8M last season as the 49ers’ undisputed starting QB, Brock Purdy’s contract was always going to be a headline all offseason. Purdy has been the biggest bargain the 49ers have ever snagged, given he was drafted last in 2022. His measly rookie contract has allowed the Niners to strengthen other positions. But now that it’s his turn to secure a larger deal, the 49ers have yet to reach a resolution. Despite their constant efforts to make space by getting rid of starters, Purdy remains unextended. However, Purdy, who has expressed, “I want to do whatever it takes to be here,” is doing what others haven’t before him.

As the 49ers opened their offseason program, two of their biggest stars weren’t on the same page. George Kittle, who is entering the final year of his then-record-breaking, five-year,$75M contract, wasn’t present at the Niners’ facility. While these sessions are voluntary, Kittle’s absence may not be a concern. But considering the tight end market was reset by Trey McBride’s $19M per year deal, Kittle may have eyes on the biggest tight end contract (again). However, it was reported that the 49ers and Kittle remain “far apart” in negotiations for a new deal, which may also explain his absence.

Coming back to Purdy, he and the 49ers are apparently close to a multi-million-dollar extension. Per Michael Silver of The Athletic, “There has been some progress toward a multi-year extension for Purdy that will likely pay him more than $50 million a year.” Well, Silver also floated the question, “How much progress?” He speculated on two scenarios. One that involved Purdy being present at the 49ers’ voluntary workout activities. And the other is sitting out, which a lot of his teammates had already done.

As for Purdy, he kept his word on handling the situation maturely. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Purdy was in attendance today to open the team’s offseason workout program. He could have chosen the tactic of Nick Bosa, Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel. But that’s not the route Purdy chose. Showing how dearly the 49ers matter to him. He didn’t want to leverage a holdout as a negotiation tactic.

49ers QB Brock Purdy, who has been discussing a new deal with San Francisco, is in attendance today for the start of the team’s off-season workout program. Some thought Purdy might have stayed away without a new deal, but that’s not the route Purdy chose. pic.twitter.com/uKiEJISTw0

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 22, 2025

Instead, he is there attending the meetings, working out for a favorable outcome. If this gesture isn’t enough for the 49ers to give their biggest late-round gem a contract he deserves, then what is? Honestly, they should sort his future out before this relationship can turn sour. And hopefully, they won’t negotiate his contract the way they apparently did with Davante Adams.

Davante Adams exposes the 49ers’ lowballing him in free agency

At 32, Adams was coming off a disappointing 2024 campaign. Playing for arguably two of the worst teams last season, the Raiders and the Jets, Adams scored only 8 TDs, his fewest since an injury-riddled 2015 season. But that doesn’t mean Adams ain’t a starting wide receiver anymore. He still logged his 5th consecutive 1000-yard season last year. But given his best friend, Aaron Rodgers, left New York, Adams also didn’t stick around.

After hitting free agency, and given that he’s from the Bay Area, having attended Palo Alto High School, Adams apparently dreamt of an emotional homecoming. That’s why he told The Athletic’s Mike Silver, “I was entertaining the Niners.” But it seems they weren’t totally committed to getting him in San Francisco. Adams added, “But they were like, We’re paying wholesale. We ain’t paying retail. I didn’t talk to them but that’s what my agent told me like five times that quote. And I was like, OK, well, I’m not a wholesale-type dude.”

That’s when the 49ers’ NFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, came in and gave Adams a two-year, $44M contract. They weren’t afraid to pay retail while the 49ers needed Adams more than the Rams. Having traded Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, coming off an ACL, the 49ers’ only receivers are Jauan Jennings and second-year wideout Ricky Pearsall. And the Rams’ 3rd choice receiver, Demarcus Robinson.

Meanwhile, Adams is expected to pair up with Puka Nacua to strike up a deadly receiver combo in LA. As for the 49ers, their lowball tactics with Adams could come back to haunt when the two clash two times a year.

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