Purdy’s Future Key to 49ers’ Super Bowl Hopes at Home

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy celebrates with the trophy after their win against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., on Jan. 28, 2024. David J. Phillip/AP Photo

After missing the playoffs, the San Francisco 49ers got handed the proverbial Super Bowl torch on Monday since Levi’s Stadium will host the next one.

The 49ers, meanwhile, hope to have 2023 Super Bowl quarterback Brock Purdy on a contract extension as the team looks to turn things around after a disappointing, injury-riddled 2024 season.

Purdy has a year left on his four-year, $37.73 million rookie contract, and he could command $59.7 million annually on the open market amid a stellar start to his career.

“I know we want Brock to be here for a long time, and we’ll do everything we can to make that work,” 49ers owner Jed York told reporters during the Super Bowl handoff ceremony on Monday.

The host site for the 50th Super Bowl in 2016, Santa Clara will play host to the Big Game for the 60th edition a decade later. San Francisco went 5–11 in 2015 during an era of mediocrity for the franchise, but the 49ers have been Super Bowl contenders of late, with two appearances since 2020.

“There’s so much work before you get to that point,” York said about another potential Super Bowl run. “Obviously it started at the end of the season to get this thing ready and get this thing right and get this thing back on track.”

“There’s no one that I respect more and trust more than John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan to get us back on track,” York added.

If the 49ers succeed at turning things around from a 6–11 season and reach the Super Bowl in February 2026, San Francisco would become the third team to play the Super Bowl in its home stadium. That boded well for the “home” team each time, with Super Bowl wins by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021 and Los Angeles Rams in 2022.

San Francisco has much work ahead before the dream can come to fruition, which starts with Purdy. The veteran quarterback surprised everyone as the former final pick in the 2022 draft when he became the starter and led the team on two deep playoff runs. He has thrown for 9,518 yards and 64 touchdowns in three seasons.

“Brock is just a tremendous human being,” York said. “I’m looking forward to a long-term partnership.”

San Francisco will need to find a way to afford Purdy in addition to other needs amid $50.35 million in salary cap space for 2025. The Niners also have pending free agents in cornerback Chavarius Ward and linebackers Dre Greenlaw and De’Vondre Campbell to consider re-signing.

In addition, the 49ers need to find a trade partner for wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who had been one of Purdy’s favorite targets. Samuel had 51 catches for 670 yards and three touchdowns last season.

The 49ers will need to replace Samuel as the receiving corps includes Brandon Aiyuk, who is on the mend from injury, plus Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall, who are still under contract. Jennings stepped up last season with 77 catches for 975 yards and six touchdowns, and Pearsall impressed as a rookie with 31 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns.

Purdy will also get plenty of help back next season with the return of running back and former MVP candidate Christian McCaffrey, who was sidelined with injury for most of 2024. The Niners also have a strong pass catcher in tight end George Kittle, who led the team in receiving for 78 catches, 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns.

Defensively, the Niners can expect to have a strong core returning in defensive end Nick Bosa and lineback Fred Warner. They could get the defense back on track after the team allowed 25.6 points per game in 2024.

Regardless of whether or not the 49ers make the turnaround for a historic Super Bowl run, York made one promise about the Bay Area hosting the next Big Game.

“This is going to blow the doors off,” York said about hosting again.