49ers analyst pitches Brock Purdy trade proposal involving Aaron Rodgers

Brock Purdy is in line to sign a blockbuster contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers. However, a 49ers beat writer believes it’s better to trade Purdy instead of handing him Dak Prescott-level of money.

Sports Illustrated’s Grant Cohn wants the 49ers to think long and hard before agreeing to a big extension, which is set to be close to $60 million according to ESPN’s Mike Garafolo. Cohn has a better idea. He advised the NFC West team to trade Purdy along with a first-round pick and sign free agent Aaron Rodgers.

If Brock Purdy wants $60 million per season, I’d trade him for a first-round pick and sign Aaron Rodgers for half the price.

Grant Cohn wrote on X

If Brock Purdy wants $60 million per season, I'd trade him for a first-round pick and sign Aaron Rodgers for half the price.

Rodgers + first-round pick >>> Purdy making $60M

— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) March 26, 2025

Rodgers reportedly demanded $33 million per year from the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are the likeliest team to sign the 4x NFL MVP. This will significantly lessen the burden on the 49ers’ cap, helping them extend the contracts of other players.

One fan suggested in the comments that the 49ers can sweeten the deal by throwing in Brandon Aiyuk. This should get a first-round pick in return or maybe even an additional late pick on top of already boasting 11 draft picks.

Trade him to the Browns along with Aiyuk for a 1 and Garrett. Sign Rodgers.

— J (@regulardude85) March 26, 2025

Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract in the 2024 off-season. His season ended up being a dud after suffering a bad injury. Despite the Pro Bowler entering his second year of the contract, several teams are ready for trade talks.

It’s not a bad proposition considering the 49ers’ history of handing out long contracts to players and then suffering in the aftermath. Nick Bosa, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey bagged big paydays in the last couple of years, creating cap hell for the NFC West franchise.

Now if the 49ers sign Brock Purdy to the speculated $60 million contract, then it will restrict their spending power. It will force John Lynch to rely on the draft.

Trading Purdy and Aiyuk in the same window might ease Lynch’s mind. If he wants Rodgers in San Francisco instead of Pittsburgh, then they should make up their mind because the 41-year-old is getting ever so close to becoming the Steelers quarterback. More so after the Giants signed Russell Wilson.

Brock Purdy’s trade situation

Cohn wants the 49ers to trade Purdy instead of paying him $60 million per year for the next few years. He still has doubts about the 2022 last overall pick’s abilities as a franchise quarterback.

[Brock Purdy] was awful in the second half of nearly every game that mattered in 2024… He melted down in tight games.  Instead of paying Purdy $60 million, a better move would be to trade Purdy for a first-round pick and sign Aaron Rodgers for roughly half the price.

Grant Cohn said on a YouTube discussion

Despite the trade proposal from Cohn, it appears that the 49ers want Purdy. A report from FOX insider Jordan Schultz revealed that a contract may not be imminent, but they are happening behind the curtains. Schultz spoke with an NFL GM to confirm the rumors.

Purdy’s getting paid; that’s a fact. The benefit the 49ers have is that he’s been playing on a very team-friendly deal, so maybe he takes a little less to lock in long-term security.

An NFL GM told Jordan Schultz

Meanwhile, the 49ers moved in to add a quarterback as a contingency. They signed former first-round pick Mac Jones, who was part of the Jacksonville Jaguars team in 2024. Jones was one of Kyle Shanahan’s favorite quarterbacks during his draft year, but they passed on him to take Trey Lance.

Lance at present is struggling to find a new team. Jones, on the other hand, is looking forward to fighting for his place to be the starter.

There’s a lot of good people here [49ers], a lot of winners here. I just wanted to surround myself with winners… Kyle [Shanahan] and his resume speaks for itself. He’s done a great job in the NFL, and he always produces each year, and that’s something that I want to be around.

Mac Jones said after signing a two-year, $7 million deal (ht/49ers Webzone)

Jones’ chances of starting games for the Niners depend on how they deal with the Iowa State graduate. If the 49ers trade Brock Purdy, they can also hand the steering wheel to Jones instead of signing Rodgers for $33 million per year and see if the former Patriot blossoms like Sam Darnold or not.

Joe Flacco remains without a team. He will be much cheaper than Rodgers and won’t demand to be the starter instantly. A one-year deal should be enough for Flacco.