49ers teammates, coaches say Brock Purdy is ‘one of the best QBs in the league’

Oct 9, 2023, 10:45 AM | Updated: 11:08 am

Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a touchdown by Jordan Mason #24 during ...

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The San Francisco 49ers have found the star quarterback they’ve been looking for in Brock Purdy.

The 49ers’ second-year gunslinger had a coming out part against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5, tossing 252 passing yards and four touchdowns on national television. That propelled San Francisco to their biggest win of the rivalry, 42-10, with all three facets of the game going their way.

The Red & Gold have long been Super Bowl hopefuls, most recently making the Big Game in 2019. Coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad was different then, propelled by their defense and a power run game.

That isn’t the case now, however, with the 49ers at their strongest currently. And that’s in large part to the play of Brock Purdy and the offense.

“I think just the way we’ve built this team,” defensive end Nick Bosa started after the game. “We’ve had aspects since we’ve been here where we haven’t been as strong, and the way [49ers general manager John Lynch] and Kyle have built the team offensively, they can attack in any way.

“You’ve got [Brandon] Aiyuk who can go deep, you’ve got Deebo [Samuel], you’ve got Christian [McCaffrey], you’ve got George [Kittle]. There’s really no weakness, and then Brock is playing as one of the best quarterbacks in the league.”

"He's legitimately going out there and doing historical things."

Juszczyk doesn't want to hear it from the Purdy critics 😤 pic.twitter.com/QBtOGHe2cr
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) October 9, 2023

Purdy has indeed been playing at an elite level in year two. Through the first five games, the Iowa State alum has 1,271 passing yards, 11 total touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also has an average quarterback rating of 83.7, the best in the NFL by a wide margin.

It’s true that the young QB is surrounded by elite talent on both sides of the football. But that shouldn’t be what discredits him, making the plays and throws when the moment strikes. And that hasn’t always been the case in The Bay; another reason why his team loves him.

“I mean he was really good. Everybody was pretty good. But thought he missed one throw throughout the day, from what it seemed like, just a little behind [WR Brandon Aiyuk] BA in the first quarter on one and everything else seemed pretty flawless. He did a great job versus a real good pass rush, some tight coverages, guys gave him some time,” Shanahan said of Purdy’s performance postgame.

“Seeing how Brock’s so consistent every single day. He’s the same guy on Wednesday that he is on Sunday,” tight end George Kittle added. “He’s super detailed, super confident. It’s everything you want in a quarterback and he’s just playing at such a high level right now.”

But while the praise is a blessing for Brock Purdy, he isn’t fazed by it.

Just like the rest of the team, he’s focused on one thing: Winning football games. Whether he’s throwing four TDs or just one, it doesn’t matter, only that the 49ers keep marching on to their own tune.

“It means a lot, obviously. For me, I’m not trying to get caught up in what other people are saying,” Purdy stated. “There’s still stuff on film where I can get better and Kyle’s real with me about that. [49ers QB Coach Brian] Griese’s real about it. All the quarterbacks in the room, we hold ourselves to a standard. That’s what we’re trying to strive for so that’s where I’m at with that. Want to continue to keep building these guys up around me and keep winning.”