With offseason activities winding down, attention now squarely turns to the San Francisco 49ers’ football on the field for the upcoming 2025 campaign. Mandatory minicamps have commenced, and training camp along with the preseason are looming ahead, setting the stage for preparation. Unlike previous years marked by contract holdouts, the 2025 offseason stands out as Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and Fred Warner resolved their contract uncertainties before summer began, allowing a full focus on gameplay.

Examining Brock Purdy’s Potential Impact for 2025

The most significant question in the 49ers’ quarterback room—what version of Brock Purdy will emerge in 2025—has gained clarity after Purdy’s contract extension in May. Purdy originally grabbed headlines in late 2022 by stepping in as a relief quarterback and guiding the team to the NFC Championship Game. He extended his momentum into 2023 with an MVP-level performance, propelling San Francisco to its second NFC Championship under Kyle Shanahan’s leadership.

Nonetheless, Purdy’s 2024 season showed signs of regression. The absence of key offensive targets like Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk contributed heavily to his statistical decline, as he recorded fewer passing yards, a lower completion rate, and experienced a higher sack frequency. Most notably, his touchdown passes dropped from 31 in 2023—a total tied for the fourth-highest in franchise history—to just 20 in 2024, correlating with the 49ers’ offense slipping from third to 14th in scoring league-wide.

This downturn cannot be solely attributed to Purdy, given that injuries sidelined 14 of the key receivers who caught his touchdown passes in 2023. However, the sharp decrease raises concerns about the output expected from the quarterback signed to a $265 million contract.

While Purdy’s passing showed struggles, his mobility evolved into a notable asset during the 2024 season. He more than doubled his rushing yards, totaling 323 yards on 66 attempts—the 13th-highest rushing yardage for a 49ers quarterback and especially impressive given most of that company comprises Steve Young and Colin Kaepernick. Purdy gained first downs on nearly half of those runs, adding a credible dual-threat dimension that opposing defenses must now prepare for heading into 2025.

The 49ers’ offensive weapons will remain limited in 2025 as Deebo Samuel has moved on to Washington, Aiyuk continues his recovery, and McCaffrey’s return to peak form remains uncertain. Therefore, Purdy does not need to replicate his 2023 peak exactly but must approach that level rather than his subdued 2024 performance. His developing mobility, combined with progress closer to his 2023 standards, should suffice to restore the offense’s productivity to anticipated levels.

Is Brock Purdy the Long-Term Franchise Quarterback?

The critical issue of Purdy’s potential as the 49ers’ franchise quarterback emerges directly from evaluating his upcoming 2025 season. This question opens complex considerations: would a strong bounce-back campaign statistically resembling 2023, yet ending in a Wild Card round exit, solidify Purdy as an elite quarterback? Conversely, could a year closer in form to his 2024 struggles, but culminating in a deep playoff run or Super Bowl appearance, elevate his status in San Francisco?

Ultimately, the highest form of recognition might come only through winning a sixth Lombardi Trophy for the franchise. Assessing his franchise quarterback credentials involves weighing individual production alongside team success, particularly how much credit he earns for leading playoff achievements.

Securing the lucrative five-year, $265 million contract was only the initial hurdle for Purdy, a former Mr. Irrelevant. The greater challenge lies in proving his worth at this investment level. The 49ers’ front office has previously demonstrated willingness to back quarterbacks with significant contracts, as seen when they pursued Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford just two years after committing long term. Purdy has demonstrated he can perform at a high level in the NFL; now, he must take the next step, with 2025 presenting the ideal opportunity to affirm his role as the franchise’s cornerstone.

Backup Quarterback Role and Mac Jones’s Playing Time in 2025

Kyle Shanahan enters his eighth season as head coach of the 49ers in 2025, and history reveals a recurring challenge with quarterback health. Only twice in Shanahan’s prior seven seasons did the team enjoy a fully healthy quarterback throughout the entire campaign, and those two seasons resulted in Super Bowl appearances. Injuries struck the position again in 2024 when Purdy missed two games due to arm injuries, prompting starts from backups Joshua Dobbs and Brandon Allen.

Even Purdy’s only fully healthy year, 2023, saw him sit out the final regular-season game once the team’s playoff spot was secured, yielding a start to Sam Darnold. Additionally, a significant injury to Purdy in the 2022 NFC Championship Game forced emergency quarterback Josh Johnson into action. This pattern strongly suggests a likelihood of backup quarterback appearances in 2025.

The key question remains how frequently Mac Jones, the presumed backup, will be called upon. Whether he steps in during crucial stretches or primarily plays to provide Purdy rest ahead of playoff pushes will be closely watched. The quarterback health factor always looms large in the 49ers’ season, making Jones’s role potentially pivotal even before any unforeseen circumstances arise.

The Path Forward for Brock Purdy and the 49ers Offense

As San Francisco transitions into the 2025 season, the team’s offensive outlook hinges significantly on Brock Purdy’s performance. After an electrifying start and a peak season in 2023, Purdy faced setbacks in 2024 that tested his growth amid critical teammate injuries. His enhanced rushing ability offers a promising new element to his game, and the 49ers undoubtedly need him to elevate his play closer to his 2023 standard to maintain offensive potency.

How Purdy responds could determine his legacy in San Francisco and define the quarterback position’s stability moving forward. The 49ers’ offseason calm has allowed for preparation without distractions, but the looming season will reveal if Purdy justifies his major contract and whether he solidifies his place as a franchise quarterback or leaves more questions to answer. Meanwhile, the role of backup Mac Jones remains an insurance policy against the unpredictable history of quarterback availability.