Leverage is always important in any negotiation in life. If an organization openly speaks out about the perfect value a player gives to their team, chances are that player is going to use that to their advantage.
That is the perfect way to encapsulate what is going on with the San Francisco 49ers and starting quarterback Brock Purdy.
Purdy is 23-13 as a starter but struggled mightily last season. With a lesser team around him, San Francisco may be unwilling to make him one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the sport at this time.
NBC Sports Bay Area insider Matt Maiocco made it clear that both sides weren't on the same page...even if the 49ers brass has been open about how good Purdy is.
"So it's just a matter of trying to find that right number," Maiocco continued. "I think Purdy's camp, it feels like the market is set. The market is what it is, and they believe that he's earned it. You know, Jed York referred to Brock Purdy a couple of weeks ago as a top-10 quarterback, so we'll see how this plays out.
"But right now, from my understanding, it doesn't sound like anything's close. There will still be, I'm sure, a few more offers exchanged here in the coming weeks. Everybody seems to be confident that it'll get done eventually, but it's just kind of this back and forth."
The mere fact York called Purdy a top 10 quarterback shows that the 49ers gave the signal-caller leverage in negotiations.
In terms at least of public perception? That's a major mistake.
So whether they want to make him a high-paid quarterback or not, to call Purdy a top 10 signal-caller means you have to pay him as one. And that remains to be seen if others in the organization want to give it to him.
