Can the 49ers Trade Steady Leadership for Bright Futures in the NFL Draft?
The San Francisco 49ers are presently negotiating an extension for quarterback Brock Purdy, yet both internal and external stakeholders aren’t all persuaded this represents the most prudent strategy moving forward.
Recently, NFL Network’s Peter Schrager proposed a draft possibility that has 49ers supporters excited: could Shedeur Sanders drop to the last pick of the first round, prompting San Francisco to seize the opportunity—possibly at the cost of trading away Purdy?
Schrader emphasized that this wasn’t going to occur with the eleventh selection. However, should Sanders remain available when they reach picks in the thirties, it might spark an earnest conversation. Given Purdy’s quest for a substantial contract renewal, the 49ers might opt to reset their quarterback situation by choosing a less expensive, more youthful player who has greater potential upside.
Sanders would add star appeal along with the capability to succeed even within an imperfect system—a trait that Purdy has sometimes found challenging. Selecting him would be reminiscent of how the Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers in 2005, after they had chosen Alex Smith as the top pick earlier in the same draft. This pattern may recur; however, the Niners likely wouldn’t bypass another quarterback again so easily.
Why It Could Be Smart Financially and Strategically to Move On From Purdy
Grant Cohn of Sports Illustrated expanded upon Schrager’s concept, suggesting that dealing Jimmy Garoppolo currently might fetch the best possible return and provide an ideal chance to select Brock Purdy. He used the Los Angeles Rams’ remorse over their extension with Jared Goff as a warning example.
As Cohn stated, ‘The 49ers don’t require a top-tier quarterback with a high salary; instead, they should look for a budget-friendly QB who aligns with Kyle Shanahan’s strategy—Shedeur Sanders fits this description.’
Purdy still holds trade value, and teams like the
Pittsburgh Steelers
at No. 21 could be interested. By flipping Purdy, the 49ers could gain valuable picks this year and next, giving them flexibility to reshape their roster around a rookie quarterback contract. The move would be bold, but in a league built on risk and reward, San Francisco could be setting up for long-term success.
