Author: nfltalk

Where Purdy ranks among NFL QBs on third-, fourth-down conversions originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

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.

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Former Cincinnati Bengals first-round center Billy Price announced his retirement from the NFL on Saturday, revealing that he had emergency surgery to save his life this offseason. The 29-year-old had a pulmonary embolism that required treatment, which directly led to his decision to hang up the cleats.

Price announced his decision on Instagram:

“In the blink of an eye, everything can be taken away. On April 24th I had emergency pulmonary embolism surgery to remove a saddle clot that was entering both of my lungs. As a healthy 29 year old, an unprovoked pulmonary embolism with no further medical explanation is terrifying. I am truly thankful to be alive today. Unfortunately, I will be retiring from the NFL as the risk of an internal bleed while on blood thinners creates tremendous risk.

I am truly thankful for the opportunity to have played in some of the greatest atmospheres around the world. I am thankful to have trained and played alongside men who will continue to make Pro Bowls, All Pro Rosters and Hall of Fame recognitions.

To my wife: this career would not have been possible without your continued love and support. The sacrifices you have made over the course of my career do not go unnoticed. I cannot wait to navigate the next chapter in life with you as we continue to grow our family.”

The Ohio State product was selected by the Bengals with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. After three seasons in Cincinnati, Price was traded to the New York Giants, the team he played out the final year of his rookie contract with. Price spent 2022 with the Arizona Cardinals, making 11 starts, and then 2023 with the Dallas Cowboys on their practice squad. In his six NFL seasons, Price played in 69 total games with 45 starts. 

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Report: Aiyuk aims to surpass St. Brown’s $120 million contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

While Brandon Aiyuk’s contract extension saga remains unsettled, there is clarity regarding the 49ers star wide receivers’ perceived asking price while he seeks a new deal from San Francisco.

In speaking on “NFL Live” on Friday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler provided an update on the ongoing negotiations between Aiyuk and the 49ers, while revealing the potential benchmark for the contract Aiyuk is aiming to receive from the team that selected him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

“San Francisco with Brandon Aiyuk, they have been talking, they have been negotiating,” Fowler explained. ” Nothing imminent as of yet, but there’s certainly a chance. I was told the benchmark here is [Detroit Lions wide receiver] Amon-Ra St. Brown because he got $28 million [per] year on a four year deal from Detroit. The goal as it appears is for Aiyuk to try to beat that.

“He doesn’t need to be the highest paid in the league, 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.”

St. Brown inked his four-year $120 million contract on April 24., coming off a breakout 2023 season where the Lions star earned a First-Team All-Pro selection after recording 115 receptions for 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Aiyuk recorded less receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns than St. Brown last season, but the discrepancy can easily be chalked up to the large difference in targets between the two, with the 49ers wideout feeling the effects of playing in an offense loaded with other superstars.

Although Aiyuk had 59 fewer receptions and 40 less receptions than St. Brown in 2023, he had only 173 fewer receiving yards — an indication of how valuable Aiyuk’s big-play ability was for the 49ers’ high-flying offense. The 26-year-old’s 17.9 yards per reception ranked second in the NFL last season, while Aiyuk earned a spot on the…

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A member of Bill Parcells’ coaching tree, Sean Payton is known to mimic his former boss by offering a notable line or two during interviews. Payton was at it again Thursday when he used an interesting metaphor to sum up his quarterback room that consists of rookie Bo Nix, Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham. 

“They’re all orphan dogs,” Payton said, via CBS News Colorado. “They’ve all come from somewhere.”

Payton’s not wrong. Nix hails from Oregon, where he threw a whopping 74 touchdowns and completed nearly 75% of his throws after transferring from Auburn. Wilson, a fellow former first-round pick, spent his first three NFL seasons toiling on often out-manned Jets teams before he was traded to Denver this offseason. 

“I need to be consistent every single day,” Wilson said, via the team’s website. “Understanding the offense, understanding what I’m asked to do, taking care of the football and how quickly I can get the ball out of my hands to some of the playmakers that we have, too.”

Stidham is a 2019 fourth-round pick who was a backup in New England before making two starts for the Raiders in 2022 and two more with the Broncos last season. 

“I’ve dealt with this before when I was in New England with Mac Jones,” Stidham said. “It’s a business and I totally understand it, but at the same time, I’m here to compete. I’m not going to just sit down and let someone else walk in here and [just take the role]. I’m going to work my butt off to get the job. I’m super excited about it.”

The Broncos quarterback situation is a fluid one. Payton said the quarterbacks will split reps during OTAs. Payton did offer some encouraging comments about Nix, the sixth quarterback taken in April’s draft. 

“He’s further along than most,” Payton said. “We’re talking about a player who has played 61 [college] games. He’s extremely smart. He’s picked it up very quickly.”

Payton also offered an encouraging…

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