Following the worst performance of his career, veteran NFL general manager Michael Lombardi thinks the 49ers would never give quarterback Brock Purdy $50 million a year.
But Purdy’s four interceptions in a game or a three-game slump in the middle of the season aren’t the cause. On Thursday’s “Zero Blitz” podcast, Lombardi gave Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz an explanation of why the 49ers just won’t spend that much on a quarterback.
“‘The Sopranos’ usually offers the best answer whenever I look for an answer on these problems,” Lombardi remarked. “So, Uncle Junior takes over as the new boss in season one and embezzles all of the money.” Additionally, Tony needs to speak with them to explain that sharing is required.
“You can’t always eat at the table like that guy.” You and Brock Purdy will need to have that same chat. “Brock, we won’t give you the 50 million you want,” Lombardi went on. “We can pay you that if you want to stay here and play quarterback for this team for the next thirty years, just like Tom Brady did.”
Despite winning six Super Bowls in Foxborough, Brady never made more than $23 million in a single season throughout his 20 years as a member of the New England Patriots. In order to earn his largest salary with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three seasons, he had to leave New England.
Purdy, the last choice in the 2022 NFL Draft, will make $889,252 this year and a maximum of $1.1 million over the following two years. When Purdy’s rookie contract expires in 2026, San Francisco will have to decide what the long-term value of the player is.
49ers’ QB Plan Could Bring More Rings Than Peyton Manning, Mike Lombardi Says
In the three years since 2020 that San Francisco has qualified for the NFC Championship Game, the quarterback position has fluctuated.Before the 49ers traded for and selected Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo set the initial pace, followed by Purdy.
The 49ers are developing and have found a quarterback who “enhances the system,” according to Lombardi. For two decades, it worked with Brady and New England, but not with their bitter rival, the AFC.
Brady pocketed less cash. We are aware of this, Lombardi remarked. “Peyton Manning refused to accept a lower price. One Super Bowl victory occurred in Indianapolis. Why? I believe that the [salary] cap had a major role in it.
Manning made a lot of money in 2004 ($35 million) and 2011 ($26.4%). If not, the Colts paid him between $11 million and $15 million for the majority of his Indianapolis tenure.
“Their cap flexibility was limited. They were assuming the risk. They shouldn’t have won one, Lombardi remarked. “He’s so good, they should have won ten.” That’s how exceptional he was.
However, they didn’t. Thus, in my opinion, you need to have that discussion. It won’t work if you want to keep all the money, Lombardi continued.
Mike Lombardi says that if Brock Purdy wants money, the 49ers will draft a different quarterback.
Lombardi predicts Purdy is fully aware that if the asking price is too high, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan would “go out and find another quarterback.”
We refer to that as team building. That is the thing the league is lacking. Fitz, the last thing you want to be in the NFL is having to tell someone that they are essential to our team’s success. You’re doomed when you do that, Lombardi declared.
For Heavy.com, Matthew Davis covers the NFL, concentrating on the San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has also covered Minnesota prep athletics since 2016 as a contributing writer for the StarTribune.Additional information on Matthew Davis
