49ers QB Ranks Among Top in NFL for Third- and Fourth-Down Conversions

NFL quarterbacks are judged on their ability to execute in high-leverage situations on third and fourth down — an area where 49ers star Brock Purdy excelled during his first full season as the starting signal-caller in San Francisco.

Purdy finished second among all NFL quarterbacks in 2023 when it came to regular-season third- and fourth-down conversion rate on passing attempts, as shared Saturday by Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis.
The only player Purdy trailed was Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who went toe to toe with the 49ers’ defense in San Francisco’s thrilling divisional-round win in January. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts and Atlanta Falcons’ Kirk Cousins rounded out the top five behind Love and Purdy.

The 49ers finished the 2023 season ranked fourth in the NFL in third-down conversion rate, a testament to the highly efficient numbers Purdy posted when San Francisco threw the ball in those situations.

Clutch conversions on third and fourth down isn’t the only area Purdy shined in 2023, as the 24-year-old led the NFL in a number of statistical categories including passer rating (113.0), yards per attempt (9.6) and touchdown percentage (7.0 percent).

Purdy’s 4,280 passing yards in 2023 broke the 49ers franchise single-season record previously held by Jeff Garcia. The impressive campaign Purdy posted earned him Pro Bowl honors, becoming the first San Francisco quarterback selected to the prestigious event in over 20 years.

As the 49ers gear up for another season, they can enter it confidently knowing they have a dynamic talent under center who figures to be the franchise quarterback for years to come.
The 49ers have come very close to winning a sixth Super Bowl in recent seasons, but is there a way San Francisco finally can get over the hump?
Star linebacker Fred Warner believes it’s only a matter of time — and knows how the 49ers can get it done.
“It’s not a matter of ‘if’ in my mind; it’s a matter of ‘when’ when we do go win one,” Warner said Wednesday on NFL Network (h/t SI.com). “I think the key is to continue to find guys who are finishers. You want to bring in cats who can finish. The guys who are here, you want to have an internal look at yourself and be like, ‘How can I be better for this team?’
“I’ve looked at myself, even when I had a good year last year, how can I be better for that moment to where I punch a ball out, force an interception? I don’t know, just help finish the game for my team.”
San Francisco fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime of Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11, just over four years after Patrick Mahomes and Co. defeated the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. And in 2013, the Vince Lombardi Trophy slipped out of their grasp against the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII.
That’s a lot of heartbreak in the 21st century, and it doesn’t include the team’s other playoff losses in recent years. But Warner knows that general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan must keep the same philosophy they’ve had since taking the helm in 2017 — building a championship team brick by brick.
Warner is an example of that, drafted by the 49ers in 2018 and now serving as the franchise epitome of a leader both on and off the field. And with the rest of San Francisco’s star-studded roster, along with players brought in via the draft, trades and NFL free agency, All-Pro Fred is right.
The 49ers’ Super Bowl chances remain very much alive as they approach the 2024 NFL season.

49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk targeting Amon-Ra St. Brown’s $120 million deal for new contract

Receiver Brandon Aiyuk was a no-show for the San Francisco 49ers’ organized team activities (OTAs) last week, which was expected as the two sides are navigating a contract dispute.
Aiyuk and the 49ers reportedly aren’t close on agreeing to a contract extension, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. That has led to speculation that the fourth-year wideout will request a trade if he can’t get the deal he wants. Yet Aiyuk’s agent says the receiver hasn’t asked out of San Francisco, despite unfollowing the team on social media.
However, another contract recently signed by a fellow NFL receiver might have provided the number that Aiyuk and his representation want in a new deal. Just before the NFL Draft, Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the Detroit Lions that included $77 million in guaranteed money. That apparently set the bar that Aiyuk wants to reach, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
[Aiyuk] doesn’t need to be the highest paid in the league,” Fowler reported on “NFL Live.” “But he’s done enough and accomplished enough in that offense where he’s probably going to need to be at that number or higher.”
While that establishes a number to work from, the disparity in statistics between Aiyuk and St. Brown will likely be a sticking point for the 49ers in negotiations.
Last season, St. Brown compiled 119 receptions (on 164 targets) for 1,515 yards, 10 touchdowns and 75 first downs. Aiyuk caught 75 passes (on 105 targets) for 1,342 yards, seven scores and 61 first downs.
Yet Aiyuk can point to an offense that also includes George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey as a big reason he received 59 fewer targets. Despite not being featured like St. Brown, he still led the 49ers in catches and receiving yards.
Aiyuk is set to make $14.1 million under his fifth-year option for the 2024-25 season, according to Spotrac. That’s well below the $30 million in average annual salary St. Brown will get from his new deal. But St. Brown was also two years away from free agency and will make $4.9 million for 2024-25 from his original rookie contract.
A.J. Brown draws the highest annual salary among receivers at $32 million with the $96 million extension he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Behind him are St. Brown and the Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill, according to Over the Cap.
Is that where Aiyuk wants his salary to slot in? Do the 49ers feel that he’s as valuable to their offense as those other three — especially with other star talent to pay, notably quarterback Brock Purdy? The team is also projected to be $23.9 million over the cap in 2025.
Those questions present the negotiating limbo in which Aiyuk and the 49ers currently find themselves.