The wheels are in motion.
The San Francisco 49ers have a big question mark at quarterback.
Not in regards to who it will be, that’s a given.
It’s Brock Purdy‘s job, and Purdy’s job alone.
The question is how much Purdy’s contract extension is going to cost the 49ers.
That is general manager John Lynch’s job to decide and navigate.
The last pick of the 2022 draft has one year remaining on his contract and is due just $5.2 million for the 2025 season.
Purdy has well outplayed his rookie deal, having already led the Niners to two NFC championship games and one Super Bowl appearance.
He is in line for a massive and wealthy extension.
Lynch spoke at the NFL scouting combine on Wednesday afternoon in Indianapolis and shared an update on Purdy’s contract.
“We have started negotiations, we’re talking,” Lynch said.
“I won’t go into negotiations, like always is our stance. [We] want Brock to be our quarterback as long as we’re here and beyond.
“And we’ll leave it at that.
“I think the final thing, there’s no guarantees we get something done.
“But my experience has been when both sides are motivated, there’s ample opportunity to do so.
“We’ve been able to do that.”
Opinions have differed throughout the league on where exactly Purdy’s value lands and how much he is worth.
He is nowhere near as talented as the upper echelon of starting quarterbacks in the league.
No one will confuse Purdy for Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson.
But it can be argued he is in that next tier of quarterbacks.
How much does that pay? And does it even matter?
Could he reach an extension worth $275 million?
There’s a world where Purdy could demand $60 million a year.
After all, that’s what the Dallas Cowboys paid Dak Prescott.
It may just be what the market dictates, but ultimately it’s for Lynch to decide.