The San Francisco 49ers’ starting quarterback, Brock Purdy, is currently playing under one of the most budget-friendly contracts not only on his team but across the entire NFL. This second-year QB, hailing from Iowa State, emerged as a savior for the 49ers’ offense last season when injuries sidelined both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, leaving them without a starting quarterback.
This season, Purdy has returned to lead one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses, and it’s clear that he is being significantly underpaid for his contributions. Despite having only 11 regular-season games under his belt in the league, Purdy is already exceeding the value of his contract by a substantial margin. Following his selection by the 49ers in the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy signed a four-year deal worth $3.7 million. This contract included a modest $77,008 in guaranteed money and has an average annual value (AAV) of $934,252, according to Spotrac.com. In the 2023 season, he will earn a base salary of $870,000.
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The primary reason for the affordability of Purdy’s contract is his draft position. Notably, Purdy wasn’t merely a seventh-round pick by the 49ers; he held the distinction of being the very last player selected in the entire 2022 NFL Draft.
Who are the least paid quarterbacks in NFL?
- Brock Purdy: Purdy currently holds the title of being the lowest-paid starting quarterback in the entire NFL. The nearest in terms of compensation to the 49ers’ signal-caller is Sam Howell of the Washington Commanders, whose earnings for this season stand just above the $1 million mark. Following closely is Desmond Ridder, the quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, who is taking home slightly over $1.3 million in the same season.
Surprisingly, even Joshua Dobbs, who is temporarily filling in as the starter for the Arizona Cardinals while Kyler Murray is sidelined, commands a salary of $2 million.
This places Purdy not only as an outstanding bargain for a starting quarterback but also as one of the most economically affordable quarterbacks in the league, regardless of whether they serve as starters, backups, or even third-string options. He ranks sixth from the bottom in terms of average annual value (AAV) for the 2023 season, underlining the remarkable cost-effectiveness of his contract.
2. Bryce Perkins: Bryce Perkins signed a 2 year, $1,485,000 contract with the Los Angeles Rams, including an average annual salary of $742,500.
3. Jake Browning: Jake Browning signed a 1 year, $207,000 contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, including an average annual salary of $207,000.
4. Bailey Zappe: Bailey Zappe signed a 1 year, $870,000 contract with the New England Patriots, including an average annual salary of $870,000. In 2023, Zappe will earn a base salary of $870,000, while carrying a cap hit of $870,000.
5. Sam Ehlinger: In 2023, Ehlinger will earn a base salary of $940,000, while carrying a cap hit of $972,677 and a dead cap value of $65,354.
