The San Francisco 49ers are making significant changes to their roster this offseason.
Their first priority was securing their starting QB.
General Manager John Lynch confirmed Wednesday that the team has officially begun contract negotiations with Brock Purdy, solidifying their commitment to him as the franchise QB.
At the same time, Lynch also acknowledged that star wide receiver Deebo Samuel is on his way out, signaling a major shift in the team’s offensive core.
With Purdy now eligible for a second contract, the 49ers wasted no time initiating talks with his representatives.
While Lynch didn’t reveal specifics, he made it clear that both sides are motivated to reach an agreement.
“We have started negotiations, we’re talking,” Lynch said at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
“I won’t go into negotiations, like always is our stance. [We] want Brock to be our quarterback as long as we’re here and beyond. And we’ll leave it at that.”
Purdy has exceeded expectations since stepping into the starting role.
After being the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, he quickly proved his worth, leading the 49ers to the NFC Championship in his rookie year and a Super Bowl appearance in 2023.
Despite a challenging 2024 season, he still put up solid numbers, finishing with 3,864 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and a 66% completion rate.
Reports suggest that Purdy’s new deal could be in the range of four years, $196 million, with $112 million guaranteed.
With an expected $280 million salary cap for 2025 and around $47 million in cap space, San Francisco has the flexibility to structure his contract while managing other key roster decisions.
Deebo Samuel’s time in San Francisco is over
While the 49ers are securing their future at quarterback, they are also preparing to part ways with one of their most dynamic playmakers.
Lynch confirmed that the team is allowing Deebo Samuel to explore trade opportunities, effectively signaling the end of his tenure in San Francisco.
Samuel, a key piece of the 49ers’ offense since 2019, has been a versatile threat as both a receiver and a rusher.
However, after a disappointing 6-11 season, the team is making strategic changes, and moving on from Samuel appears to be part of the plan.
Trading the star wideout won’t be simple.
The 49ers face a potential $31.55 million dead cap hit, which could rise to $47 million if his March 22 option bonus kicks in.
To mitigate the financial impact, San Francisco could designate him as a post-June 1 cut or seek a trade partner willing to take on his contract.
Several teams are already rumored to be interested, with the Carolina Panthers emerging as a potential destination.
The Panthers are in desperate need of a true No. 1 receiver for Bryce Young, and Samuel’s skill set would make him a perfect fit.
With Purdy’s extension in the works and Samuel on the way out, the 49ers are shaping their roster for the future.
They’ve also made coaching adjustments, promoting Klay Kubiak to offensive coordinator and bringing back Robert Saleh to lead the defense.
As the team looks to rebound in 2025, securing a deal for Purdy and finding the right trade value for Samuel will be key pieces of their offseason strategy.
For now, San Francisco fans can expect more moves as the team builds toward another Super Bowl run.
