In 2022, the San Francisco 49ers struck gold when they signed Brock Purdy to a four-year contract. Little did they know then that this would turn out to be one of the most remarkable bargains in the league today.
Purdy, at only 24 years old, was drafted as the last pick in the seventh round of the NFL draft in 2022. As is typical with seventh-round picks, he entered the league with a lower yearly salary for his first four years. Many players drafted in this round struggle to stay in the NFL for more than a couple of seasons, let alone become an MVP candidate like Purdy. However, he quickly proved his worth during the preseason, outperforming even Trey Lance, the third overall pick in the 2022 draft. Consequently, Purdy secured the starting quarterback position and has held onto it throughout the year.
Now, as the starting quarterback of the No. 1 NFC seed in the NFL playoffs, Purdy has certainly made a name for himself. He currently ranks third among all quarterbacks in touchdowns thrown this season with an impressive 31, and fifth in total passing yards with an astounding 4,280.
Despite these remarkable achievements, Purdy's cash income from his team this season is a mere $870,000. This pales in comparison to the earnings of his playoff QB rivals on other teams. For instance, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes will receive a staggering $44.5 million this season, while Bills QB Josh Allen will earn $28 million. Even rookie C.J. Stroud's salary exceeds Purdy's at $24 million. Moreover, his own teammate and backup quarterback, Trey Lance, is currently on a four-year deal worth $34 million.
In a surprising twist, Purdy's salary places him below the earnings of 16 college football players this season. According to On3's proprietary NIL algorithm, which takes into account NIL-deal data, performance, influence, and exposure, these college athletes have managed to surpass Purdy's income.
Brock Purdy's story is a testament to his talent, resilience, and ability to defy expectations. While some may argue that his humble salary belies his exceptional abilities on the field, Purdy continues to shine as one of the NFL's hidden gems.
College Athletes Earning Millions from NIL Deals
The landscape of college athletics has experienced a significant shift in recent years. In 2021, the NCAA finally allowed student-athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), ending a long-standing debate over their right to compensation. This newfound opportunity has paved the way for several college athletes to earn substantial sums of money through endorsement deals and collectives.
Leading the pack is Shedeur Sanders from the University of Colorado, who has amassed an impressive $4.7 million. Following closely behind is Arch Manning from Texas, with $2.8 million in earnings. Travis Hunter from Colorado, Quinn Ewers from Texas, and Jalen Milroe from Alabama round out the top five, each raking in millions of dollars themselves.
NIL deals offer college athletes a chance to secure financial backing from collectives aiming to attract talented students to their universities. Alternatively, endorsements from outside brands also serve as a lucrative source of income for these athletes.
Alongside his football salary, Brock Purdy, a notable example, has capitalized on off-field endorsement deals with prestigious brands like Alaska Airlines, Toyota, and Buffalo Wild Wings. Although the specifics of these agreements remain undisclosed, it's clear that they contribute significantly to his earnings.
While Purdy enjoys an average annual contract value of $934,253, making him the 89th highest-paid NFL quarterback according to Spotrac, he still lives a relatively modest lifestyle. Reflecting on his circumstances in October 2023, Purdy mentioned that he shares an apartment with one of his offensive linemen and continues to drive his Toyota Sequoia. This humble approach to life stands out, particularly considering that Purdy resides in high-tax California.
Looking ahead, the San Francisco 49ers, Purdy's team, are set to face off against the Green Bay Packers in the NFL's divisional playoff round on Saturday at 8:15 p.m. EST.
This fascinating development in collegiate athletics raises an intriguing question: Did NIL play a role in the unexpected retirement of Alabama coach Nick Saban?
