ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Buffalo Bills and quarterback Josh Allen have agreed to a record-breaking six-year, $330 million contract. While the $55 million average annual salary doesn’t surpass Dak Prescott’s yearly earnings, the $250 million in guaranteed money is the most notable aspect of the deal.
That guaranteed figure exceeds Prescott’s $231 million by a significant margin. While it’s unlikely the San Francisco 49ers will offer Brock Purdy a deal with an annual salary higher than Prescott’s, Purdy and his agent are likely most focused on Allen’s guaranteed money and how they can leverage it in their own negotiations.
Unfortunately, the exact portion of that guaranteed amount that is fully guaranteed remains unclear. It’s an important detail—arguably the most important part of the deal. Usually, that aspect is revealed when the contract becomes official and is submitted to the league.
Allen’s $55 million average annual salary now ties him with Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, and Joe Burrow. For Purdy to land among the 10 highest-paid quarterbacks (assuming that is the goal), the 49ers must now offer him at least $51 million annually, putting him on par with Jalen Hurts.
Kyler Murray had previously rounded out the top 10 with an average of $46.1 million annually.
The 49ers hope to finalize a deal with Purdy sooner rather than later, aiming to avoid the offseason drama that has accompanied high-profile contract negotiations in recent years.