Not getting a contract done and potentially missing their quarterback for the start of training camp pales in comparison to the damage any typical contract hang-ups might cause. Signing Purdy for a less-favorable contract in March will help far more than signing him to a more-favorable contract in August.

Purdy ranks fourth in the NFL in QBR (69.3), sixth in passing yards (9,075), first in yards per attempt (8.9), and seventh in passing touchdowns (61). However, the 49ers could choose to let Purdy play out the season and franchise tag him.

San Francisco is in the process of remodeling its coaching staff, while the Niners will in a couple of months have to navigate the challenges of free agency amid a backdrop of contract negotiations with Brock Purdy that may come to define the next few years.