What Tua Tagovailoa's Extension Means for 49ers QB Brock Purdy
![Dec 4, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports Dec 4, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4288,h_2412,x_0,y_161/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/all_49ers/01j3rhgenrc9xnsv5t76.jpg)
This is good news for Brock Purdy, but not so much for the 49ers.
The Miami Dolphins just gave Tua Tagovailoa a four-year, $212.4 million extension. That's roughly $53 million per season for a quarterback who objectively isn't as good as Purdy. In addition, the Detroit Lions recently gave a $53 million extension to Jared Goff, who also objectively isn't as good as Purdy.
So now the 49ers can't offer Purdy a penny less than $53 million per season. Offering him $52.9 million per season would be a slap in his face. And by the time he's actually eligible for an extension, his price tag will be even higher.
Tagovailoa isn't the final quarterback who will get an extension before Purdy. Jordan Love also will get an extension soon, and he could become the highest-paid player in the league if the Packers give him $56 million per season.
And then next year, the salary cap almost certainly will increase by 12 to 15 percent. Which means quarterback salaries could increase by 12 to 15 percent as well. So if the 49ers thought Purdy would give them a hometown discount, think again.
I'm not saying Purdy is greedy and will ask for more than he's worth. I do believe he'll want his market value. Why should he take less? He already took less than practically everyone on the team the past two seasons and will do so again this year. The 49ers owe him.
But is he really worth more than $53 million per season to the 49ers? If they couldn't win a Super Bowl with him making $1 million per season, can they really win one when he's making 53 times that amount?
I guess we'll find out.