The landscape of NFL quarterback contracts saw a major shift following Brock Purdy’s record-breaking $265 million extension, which inevitably impacts how Jared Goff’s deal with the Detroit Lions is now perceived.

In the current quarterback market, franchise-caliber signal callers are commanding massive paydays. Given the scarcity of top-tier QBs, it’s no shock that organizations are willing to invest heavily to keep them long-term.

So, when news broke on May 16 via ESPN and NFL Network that the San Francisco 49ers had secured Purdy with a five-year, $265 million deal, few were caught off guard. Though initially dismissed as “Mr. Irrelevant,” Purdy has since proven himself indispensable to the 49ers.

How Does This Affect Jared Goff’s Standing?

Goff, who signed a four-year, $212 million extension with Detroit in 2024, briefly held the distinction of being the franchise’s highest-paid player and was sixth in the league for average annual quarterback salary. With Purdy’s new deal finalized, Goff now shares the No. 7 spot among NFL quarterbacks for highest yearly earnings, with both players making $53 million annually.

Quarterbacks with higher average annual values than Goff and Purdy include:

Dak Prescott (Cowboys): $60 million

Joe Burrow (Bengals): $55 million

Josh Allen (Bills): $55 million

Jordan Love (Packers): $55 million

Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars): $55 million

Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins): $53.1 million

Tagovailoa edging Goff in this ranking might raise eyebrows, but NFL contract hierarchies rarely follow a simple logic.

Purdy’s Rapid Rise and Performance

Prior to this extension, Purdy was approaching the end of his rookie contract. Since taking over under center in 2022, he’s led San Francisco to the postseason in two out of three seasons. Though his rookie year ended with an injury in the NFC Championship Game, he rebounded impressively, steering the 49ers to the Super Bowl the following year. Lions fans will remember all too well how San Francisco derailed their own championship hopes with a dramatic comeback in that NFC title game.

Statistically, Purdy has delivered solid results—completing 67.5% of his passes for 9,518 yards, 64 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions. His efforts earned him a fourth-place finish in the 2023 MVP voting.

What Analysts Are Saying

Patrick Holloway of Niners Nation weighed in on Purdy’s deal, noting that while the quarterback could have held out for a figure closer to what Prescott or Lawrence received, he chose a more team-friendly path. “Based on his track record, you could argue he’s earned as much or more than they did,” Holloway wrote.

He went on to say that the cap space preserved by not maxing out the contract—between $2 and $7 million—could help the 49ers shore up other areas, like offensive line depth or wide receiver retention.

In fan discussions, Goff’s name naturally came up. One commenter remarked that Purdy’s new contract seemed justifiable when considering his subpar 2024 campaign and physical limitations. “Around Jared Goff money” was seen as fair compensation. The same commenter pointed out that if Purdy elevates his game further, the contract could be a steal—assuming the 49ers finally give him consistent protection up front.