49ers LB Fred Warner says Brock Purdy has the ‘it factor’

Mar 8, 2023, 11:15 AM | Updated: 3:44 pm

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 29: Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers eyes the quarterback during the NFC Championship playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 29, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the 49ers 31-7. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

(Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

Amidst a slew of off-season questions for the San Francisco 49ers, the players have all seemed to indicate that Brock Purdy is the guy going forward. At least they want him to be.

Middle linebacker Fred Warner was a recent guest on the Bussin With The Boys podcast where he discussed the 49ers’ loss to the Eagles in the NFC Championship, what the future looks like in San Francisco, and where the team stands with the quarterbacks.

Among the many topics was Purdy, set for surgery on his torn UCL later this week. But when asked about what makes the former Mr. Irrelevant so special, Warner didn’t hold back about the young QB.

“I think Brock is dope man. Like I’ve always been a fan of his from day one. Going against him in practice, you know, you get guys who are the scout team quarterback and they just understand their role, Warner said on the podcast. “Like Brock’s mindset was, ‘I’m trying to ball. I’m trying to make myself better by going against the top defense’.”

Fred Warner on @BussinWTB talks about Brock Purdy:

“He’s got something to him. You know the IT factor, right, you can’t really describe it, but it’s IT & he has it”

Take a look at Fred’s reaction & what he says when Taylor Lewan says he’s been told that Brock is not that good… pic.twitter.com/Rm7ieQdjjv

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) March 7, 2023

Warner elaborated further on Purdy’s development in practice, stating that the Arizona native would routinely try and outplay the best defense in the NFL last season. And unlike other scout team QBs, Purdy was successful on more than one occasion.

“I’m saying wasn’t just a matter of, ‘you know, I’m just gonna go out here and tell him to do whatever they need me to do read the card.’ Like he’s legit trying to get better. Like he’s trying to dice us up and he was here and there, Warner stated.

Those are a few reasons why Warner wasn’t surprised at Purdy’s play once he came in Week 13. Going 5-0 as a starter heading into the postseason, the 49ers realized that they had a special talent with unquantifiable traits under center.

“We saw that in practice all the time. He’s got something to him. You know the ‘IT factor’, right, you can’t really describe it, but it’s IT & he has it,” Fred Warner exclaimed.