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NFL News Roundup: Derrick Henry, Brock Purdy Get Paid
Kendall Valenzuela dives into the three biggest pieces of NFL news from the week, including two stars at the position getting paid, and the NFL schedule coming out.
Even in May, we've got enough NFL news to round up so that you'll be occupied while enjoying your weekend coffee.
This week saw the NFL schedule get released, star players get paid, and more. Let's dive into what you need to know after the week around the NFL.
Derrick Henry and Brock Purdy Get Contract Extensions
The King Gets Paid
Deals on deals this weekend is the theme! Not only did we see Brock Purdy get paid (more on that below), but Ravens RB Derrick Henry also got in on the action!
The two sides agreed to a two-year, $30 million extension for their superstar running back, which not only keeps him off the free agent market after this season but is the largest deal in NFL history for a running back over 30. Henry can now earn a total of $37 million over the next three years.
I mean, do we really need to go through how dominant Henry was for the Ravens after eight seasons with the Titans? He ran for 1,921 yards and averaged a career-best 5.9 yards per carry. Oh yeah, and set a Ravens franchise record with 18 total touchdowns too!
If there are any questions about Henry in fantasy, it's really about the mileage and how much longer he can keep up being the king. He had 386 (!!!) touches in 2024 and right now is Fantasy Life's consensus RB6 heading into the 2025 season.
I'm not going to be the one to try and predict when Henry's decline will happen, because he seems like one of the only running backs that can play at a high level until he decides to hang up the cleats.
Not Mr. Irrelevant Anymore
Brock Purdy got PAID on Friday—The San Francisco 49ers and Purdy agreed to a five-year, $265 million deal that includes $181 million in guaranteed money, according to Adam Schefter.
From being the last pick in the 2022 NFL draft and earning $2.6 million total over his first three NFL seasons to this?! Alright, Purdy, we see you!
We knew that this was in the cards for the 49ers; it was always just a matter of when. Over three years, Purdy has a 23-13 record, throwing for 9,518 yards, 64 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions. He has one Pro Bowl selection and has helped lead San Francisco to the Super Bowl during the 2023 season.
Here are the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL on a per-year basis now:
- Dak Prescott: $60M
- Joe Burrow: $55M
- Josh Allen: $55M
- Jordan Love: $55M
- Trevor Lawrence: $55M
- Tua Tagovailoa: $53.1M
- Brock Purdy: $53M
- Jared Goff: $53M
The 2024 season was brutal for the 49ers and injuries headlined the disappointing year. Purdy was without Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, knee), Brandon Aiyuk (knee), Trent Williams (ankle), George Kittle (hamstring) and Deebo Samuel (calf, illness, ribs) all at different points throughout the season.
Despite all that, he still finished as the QB10 in fantasy points per game. In Fantasy Life's consensus rankings, Purdy is coming in as the QB10. Of course, we will have to keep an eye on Aiyuk's rehab and if he will be on track for Week 1, and we will have to consider if the loss of Samuel will hurt the offense overall (I know it wasn't pretty last season, but still).
Overall, we've seen the success from Purdy, and he has been pretty consistent in giving his fantasy managers solid seasons year in and year out.
If you want stability through the ups and downs, then Purdy is your guy.
Let's Talk About The NFL Schedule Release
The NFL schedule has finally been released for the 2025 season, and we can finally start fully navigating the bye weeks for fantasy football.
The good news is that the NFL must have listened to our complaints from last season, because we only get one true "Bye-Mageddon" and it's in Week 8, with six teams on a bye.
Last season, fantasy managers had to go through hell when we saw not only six teams on a bye in Week 12, but another six teams on a bye during Week 14! Roger Goodell must have lost his fantasy league last year or something, because this season it is much easier to navigate.
As for this season, should we just go through the list? In Week 8, we won't see Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, Brian Thomas, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Kenneth Walker, Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison, Trey McBride, Ashton Jeanty, and Brock Bowers … just to name a few.
Six teams off ensures that even the toughest-built fantasy teams will be impacted. Don't wait until the week before to start adding players off the waiver wire. Prepare early and pray.
Another note on the schedule, let's just all say a prayer for the New York Giants to start things off. They went 3-14 last season and now face a tough strength of schedule—their .574 opponents’ winning percentage is the highest in the NFL.
Brian Daboll is already on the hot seat before the season even begins, and we shouldn't rule out Jaxson Dart becoming the eventual starter for the Giants sooner rather than later, especially if Russell Wilson isn't leading the team to victories early.
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