49ers Trade Brock Purdy to Steelers for T.J. Watt

49ers Trade Brock Purdy to Steelers for T.J. Watt in Stunning NFL Blockbuster In a move that has sent shockwaves across the NFL landscape, the San Francisco 49ers have reportedly traded quarterback Brock Purdy to the Pittsburgh Steelers  in exchange for All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt.

The deal, which no one saw coming, marks one of the most dramatic swaps of star power in recent NFL history, shaking up both franchises’ rosters and playoff trajectories heading into the 2025 season. Purdy, the 49ers’ breakout quarterback, went from “Mr. Irrelevant” as the last pick of the 2022 draft to the face of the franchise.

He led San Francisco to back-to-back deep playoff runs, including a Super Bowl appearance, and won over fans and analysts with his poise, accuracy, and command of Kyle Shanahan’s offense. At just 24 years old, Purdy had established himself as a long-term solution under center in the Bay Area.

So why move him? Sources close to the organization say the 49ers’ decision came down to long-term team building and the opportunity to acquire a generational defensive talent.

Despite Purdy’s success, the team had long been constructed around a dominant defense—and with uncertainty around future contract extensions and salary cap flexibility, they decided to strike a deal that returns them to their defensive identity. Enter T.J. Watt, one of the most feared pass rushers in the game.

A former Defensive Player of the Year and a perennial All-Pro selection, Watt has racked up over 90 sacks in his career and is known for his relentless motor and game-changing plays.

He fills an immediate need for San Francisco, who were already strong on the defensive line but now add another elite threat to pair with Nick Bosa. The duo forms what may now be the most dangerous edge-rushing tandem in the league. From the Steelers’ perspective, the trade is equally bold but potentially transformative.

Pittsburgh has long had a dominant defense, led by Watt, but they’ve struggled to find consistent quarterback play since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. The Kenny Pickett experiment fell flat, and a carousel of replacements never found solid footing. Acquiring

Brock Purdy gives the Steelers a legitimate franchise quarterback one who is not only proven in big games, but still on a rookie contract. That financial flexibility opens up room for Pittsburgh to continue building around him with weapons on offense and shoring up the line.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin reportedly signed off on the trade after extensive discussions with team executives, understanding the gravity of moving on from Watt, who has been the heart and soul of the defense.

But Tomlin is also said to be excited about what Purdy brings: leadership, intelligence, and proven playoff composure. Of course, this trade comes with risk for both sides. The 49ers now need to identify their next quarterback—whether it’s returning to Trey Lance, pursuing a veteran, or making a move in the draft.

And while Watt instantly upgrades the defense, losing a proven young quarterback could backfire if the offense can’t find stability. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, is betting big that Purdy is the real deal long term. They lose a Hall of Fame-caliber pass rusher, which will hurt a defense that has carried them in recent years, but they may have finally solved their quarterback problem.

The trade has already ignited fierce debate among fans, analysts, and former players. Some hail it as a win-win for both teams: the 49ers double down on defense, while the Steelers finally land their quarterback. Others argue San Francisco gave up too soon on a rising star or that Pittsburgh paid too steep a price.

Either way, one thing is certain: the 2025 NFL season just got a lot more interesting.