“They’re becoming very much the Dallas Cowboys!” Colin Cowherd raises eyebrows on 49ers potentially paying ‘big money’ to Brock Purdy next year

Brock Purdy will be due for a massive contract next year but Colin Cowherd doesn't like the idea of 49ers paying him big money.

“They’re becoming very much the Dallas Cowboys!” Colin Cowherd raises eyebrows on 49ers potentially paying ‘big money’ to Brock Purdy next year

Colin Cowherd and Brock Purdy (Image via IMAGO)

It will be a matter of time before the San Francisco 49ers pay Brock Purdy a blockbuster salary. Recently, 49ers CEO Jed York hinted that after the 2024 season, Purdy will command a massive payday, which he rightfully deserves.

The last pick of the 2022 NFL draft has been the biggest storyline in the league, leading the 49ers to back-to-back NFC title games and also playing in Super Bowl LVIII. Purdy is still on his rookie contract and will earn just under $1 million in 2024. 

York believes that having a quarterback on a substantial payroll is not a bad thing. Instead, that has been the norm since the turn of the century. Neither he nor the 49ers front office would be surprised if Brock Purdy demanded somewhere around $40 million in 2025.

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It's not like Brock is going to ask for something that no one has ever asked for before. I don't know how many players are making over $40 million as quarterbacks right now.
York said during the NFL owners meeting in Orlando.

However, FOX Sports analyst Colin Cowherd is slightly skeptical about whether the 49ers should pay Purdy a hefty salary. During a recent segment of FS1’s The Herd, the veteran analyst claimed they would be making the same mistake as the Dallas Cowboys. He argued that because Purdy is cheap, it allows the 49ers to pay other guys and build a strong team.

The Niners are at a very fragile point. Brock Purdy is cheap, slash free, allows a stacked roster. I'm not saying if you pay Brock Purdy, it's going to come tumbling down like a Jenga game, but it's going to look a lot like the Dallas Cowboys.
Cowherd said.

Colin Cowherd warned the 49ers of what would happen if they paid Brock Purdy

Before Purdy’s potential extension next year, the 49ers need to sort out Brandon Aiyuk‘s contract. The wide receiver had a breakthrough year in 2023, reaching a career-high of more than 1350 yards and seven touchdowns en route to the Super Bowl.

"They're becoming very much the Dallas Cowboys!" Colin Cowherd raises eyebrows on 49ers potentially paying 'big money' to Brock Purdy next year
Brock Purdy and Kyle Shanahan (Image via IMAGO)

Cowherd pointed out that if Purdy is their primary target, then they may have to cut a few players. Aiyuk could be one of those casualties, because, per NFL.com‘s Kevin Patra, the 27-year-old is seeking at least $30 million.

On top of that, there’s always the possibility of players getting injured during the season. If a chunk of the 49ers starters end up in the hospital, then it will be next to impossible to think about reaching another Super Bowl.

You don't quite have the pieces. You lost that one receiver [Brandon Aiyuk}, your tight end [George Kittle] is banged up, and Trent Williams can't play. That's the Cowboys—three or four great players and really, really thin after that.
Cowherd added.

To put this into perspective, the Cowboys are at an impasse regarding quarterback Dak Prescott‘s extension. Similar to Purdy, Prescott’s contract ends after the 2024 season. Sources close to owner Jerry Jones have confirmed the Cowboys are willing to let the 30-year-old play it out. 

Cowherd’s FOX colleague Nick Wright pointed out that the Cowboys have the leverage. They don’t need to pay Prescott right now, and when he hits free agency, they can simply re-sign the three-time Pro Bowler to a one-year (possibly $60 million) ‘prove it‘ deal. 

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