Who Is Brock Purdy's Agent? The Man Negotiating Mr. Irrelevant's Meteoric Rise
By Jason Bolton October 07, 2025 19:35
Brock Purdy, the San Francisco 49ers' quarterback who turned "Mr. Irrelevant" into a badge of honor, is no longer the overlooked last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. By October 2025, the 25-year-old has led the 49ers to an NFC Championship, a Super Bowl appearance, and a 4-2 start to the season, all while posting franchise records and earning Pro Bowl nods. His journey from third-stringer to franchise cornerstone has been nothing short of cinematic. But behind the on-field magic—and the blockbuster five-year, $265 million extension he inked in the 2025 offseason—stands a key architect: his agent, Kyle Strongin. For Purdy, a low-key kid from Arizona, Strongin's savvy guidance has been the quiet force transforming potential into paydirt. Here's the story of the agent who's betting big on Brock.
From Undrafted Dreamer to Elite Negotiator: Strongin's Path to Purdy
Kyle Strongin isn't a household name like Scott Boras or Drew Rosenhaus, the mega-agents who command headlines with their high-stakes showdowns. Instead, he's a rising star in the NFL Players Association-certified agent world, operating with a boutique approach that prioritizes relationships over volume. Strongin, who founded Strongin Sports in 2022 after stints at larger agencies, represents a select roster of clients, with Purdy as his undisputed crown jewel. At 34, Strongin embodies the new guard of sports representation: data-driven, discreet, and laser-focused on long-term value rather than splashy free-agency spectacles.
Strongin's NFL roots trace back to his time at Athletes First, a powerhouse agency co-founded by David Dunn, where he honed his craft on deals for quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence. In 2022, he struck out on his own, leaving Athletes First just as they were prepping Lawrence's landmark rookie extension. That move wasn't without risk—Purdy, then a seventh-round afterthought, became Strongin's flagship client almost by serendipity. The two connected during Purdy's pre-draft process, bonded by a shared Midwestern ethos (Strongin hails from Illinois) and a belief in overlooked talent. "Brock's the kind of guy who lets his play do the talking," Strongin told ESPN in a rare 2023 interview. "My job is to make sure the league listens."
Under Strongin's wing, Purdy's rookie deal—a modest four-year, $3.1 million pact typical for late-rounders—quickly evolved into opportunity. When injuries sidelined Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo in 2022, Purdy seized the starting role, going 5-0 in his first five starts and igniting "Purdy Mania." Strongin stayed in the shadows, advising Purdy to focus on performance while quietly building leverage. By 2023, as Purdy led the 49ers to the NFC Championship and topped the NFL in passer rating (113.0), Strongin began laying the groundwork for what would become one of the offseason's biggest deals.
The Masterstroke: Securing Purdy's $265 Million Legacy Deal
Strongin's crowning achievement came in the 2025 offseason, when he orchestrated Purdy's extension: five years, $265 million, with $182.55 million guaranteed and an average annual value of $53 million—slotting him among the NFL's elite earners alongside Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow. The deal, finalized in July 2025 after months of tense negotiations, included escalators tied to playoff success and injury protections, reflecting Strongin's meticulous style. It wasn't just about the dollars; it was about security for a quarterback who's battled elbow surgery (2023) and oblique strains (2024), ensuring Purdy could focus on winning without financial fear.
The talks weren't smooth. 49ers owner Jed York met personally with Strongin in February 2025, pledging to "do everything" to keep Purdy in the Bay Area long-term. Yet, as former agent Joel Corry noted, the process dragged into spring, with Strongin pushing back against San Francisco's initial offers that undervalued Purdy's rapid ascent. Drawing from his Athletes First days, Strongin benchmarked against Lawrence's $55 million AAV deal from 2024, arguing Purdy's proven playoff pedigree (two NFC title games) warranted top-tier status. "Kyle's not afraid to play hardball when it counts," a league source told CBS Sports. "He knows Brock's worth every penny—and then some."
Critics whispered that Strongin's relative inexperience (Purdy is his first mega-deal) could complicate things, potentially straining the 49ers' cap space amid roster needs like extending Nick Bosa or retaining Deebo Samuel. But Strongin flipped the script, structuring the contract with void years and performance incentives that give San Francisco flexibility while maximizing Purdy's upside. The result? Purdy's locked in through 2029, with opt-outs that could net him even more if he hits MVP strides. As one X post summed it up: "Strongin just turned a $934K cap hit into generational wealth. Underrated wizardry."
Beyond the Money: Strongin's Role in Purdy's "System vs. Star" Narrative
Strongin's influence extends far beyond ink on paper. He's been Purdy's shield against the "system quarterback" label that's dogged the young QB since his debut. While pundits debate whether Purdy's success owes more to Kyle Shanahan's scheme and stars like Christian McCaffrey than individual brilliance, Strongin has quietly amplified Purdy's voice through selective media and endorsements. Deals with Nike (Purdy's first major shoe partnership in 2024) and Under Armour have poured in, turning the unassuming signal-caller into a $10 million annual off-field earner.
Strongin's philosophy—rooted in his own playing days as a college quarterback at Northwestern—emphasizes mental fortitude. He's credited with connecting Purdy to sports psychologists and financial advisors early on, helping the QB navigate the 2023 Super Bowl loss to Kansas City without fracturing his confidence. In a league where agents often stoke drama for leverage, Strongin's low-drama approach aligns perfectly with Purdy's personality. "Kyle gets it—he's not trying to make Brock into someone he's not," 49ers GM John Lynch said after the extension. "He's building a foundation for championships, not headlines."
As of October 2025, with the 49ers eyeing another deep playoff run, Strongin's star is rising alongside his client's. Whispers of him poaching other young QBs, like Jordan Love, are already circulating. For Purdy, though, Strongin remains the ultimate partner: a fellow underdog who's turned irrelevance into immortality.
The Future: Strongin, Purdy, and the 49ers' Dynasty Bet
Kyle Strongin's story is still unfolding, but his stewardship of Brock Purdy has already rewritten the script on late-round success. In an era of franchise QBs commanding $60 million-plus annually, Strongin's deal positions Purdy not just as a beneficiary of Shanahan's system, but as its engine—poised for a potential $300 million follow-up if rings follow. As Purdy slings passes at Levi's Stadium, one thing's clear: Behind every great quarterback stands an agent who believes in the magic before the world does. For Brock Purdy, that belief has been worth every guaranteed dollar.
LATEST
- NEWS
- |
- ARTICLES
- |
- VIDEOS
FAN ARCH PODCAST NETWORK
