The San Francisco 49ers made headlines on Friday by finalizing a long-term contract extension with quarterback Brock Purdy, and while that’s big news for them, it could also be a positive development for Denver Broncos rookie QB Bo Nix.
While it might seem premature to bring Nix into the conversation, there’s a solid reason to do so. Purdy, now three seasons into his NFL career, has put up decent stats—he threw 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2024 with a 96.1 passer rating. Overall, he’s gone 23-13 as a starter and holds a strong 104.9 career passer rating.
However, much of Purdy’s success has come within one of the league’s most quarterback-friendly systems, and he’s been surrounded by top-tier talent. Many observers argue that Purdy is more a product of his environment than a quarterback who consistently lifts the team around him.
Despite that, Purdy’s new contract is reportedly worth $53 million annually, making it the seventh-highest QB salary in the NFL. He now earns as much as Jared Goff and just slightly less than Tua Tagovailoa.
This bodes well for Bo Nix’s financial future. If he develops as hoped, Nix will be eligible for an extension after his third season—likely in 2027. Given how fast quarterback salaries are rising, Nix could command an even larger deal.
In contrast to Purdy, Nix has already shown the ability to elevate his team despite having far fewer weapons around him. Some even argue that Nix may already be close to surpassing Purdy in terms of talent and upside. He has better size, arm strength, mobility, and could simply be the more complete quarterback.
Purdy was, after all, a seventh-round pick, while Nix entered the league with higher expectations. With QB salaries trending upward—possibly reaching $70 million per year in the near future—Nix stands to benefit immensely. Watching quarterbacks he might already be outperforming secure massive deals should only boost his long-term outlook.
