Ahead of Super Bowl 58, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy declared he was ready to disappoint pop superstar Taylor Swift, the girlfriend of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Despite a valiant effort, Purdy and the 49ers fell short in a 25-22 overtime loss. The 49ers led 22-19 with 7:22 remaining, but a 13-play, 75-yard drive capped by a Patrick Mahomes touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman sealed the Chiefs’ victory. It marked the second time in five years the 49ers lost to the Chiefs in a Super Bowl.
Although Purdy only played in the second defeat, speculation swirled about a connection between Swift’s 2019 song “Paper Rings” and the quarterback. Some fans theorized the song was about Swift’s previous romances, while others speculated it might reference Purdy.
While neither theory is accurate, that didn’t stop questions about the song’s rumored link to Purdy from surfacing.
Swift Questioned About Brock Purdy Song Connection
During a recent visit to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, a young girl named Tinley asked Swift if the song was written about Purdy.
“Is that [song] about Brock Purdy?” Tinley asked.
“Brock Purdy?” Swift responded, looking confused. “I mean, I don’t mind Brock Purdy. He put me through a lot last February. I was very stressed for a second, but it all turned out better.”
Tinley then told Swift, “I like Travis [Kelce] now.”
Swift, while signing an autograph on her Target-exclusive book, smiled and replied, “Me too. That’s an absolute yes on that one.”
With the Chiefs (12-1) currently sitting atop the AFC standings as the number-one seed, Swift likely won’t need to worry about Purdy during this year’s playoffs. Meanwhile, the 49ers, coming off a 12-6 loss to the Rams in Week 15, now have less than a one-percent chance of making the playoffs.
The loss shifts San Francisco’s focus to the offseason, which could bring Purdy and Swift’s worlds together once again.
Brock Purdy’s Future with the 49ers
The 49ers have shown unwavering support for Purdy as their quarterback over the last two seasons. They allowed Jimmy Garoppolo, who led the team during their first Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs, to leave in free agency and traded Trey Lance, their 2021 first-round pick, to the Dallas Cowboys.
Now eligible for a contract extension, Purdy is expected to remain San Francisco’s starting quarterback.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported, “[The 49ers] are firmly committed to Brock Purdy as their long-term quarterback. I’ve been told the 49ers are still planning to negotiate a multi-year contract extension with Purdy this offseason.”
While Russini didn’t speculate on Purdy’s potential contract value, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell suggested it could reset the quarterback market.
“If the 49ers pay the going rate for a franchise quarterback next year, they’re topping the deal Dak Prescott just inked with the Cowboys, which is north of $60 million per season. I suggested over the summer that a Purdy deal could come in at five years and $235 million, or $65 million per year. That’s likely the number he and his agents are targeting.”
Whether Purdy’s contract reaches those heights remains uncertain, but a new deal would ensure the former Mr. Irrelevant stays in San Francisco for years.
The 49ers and Chiefs are not slated to face off in 2025, meaning a third Super Bowl showdown would be necessary for Purdy and Swift’s paths to cross again next season.
