Josh Dobbs gives glowing review of Brock Purdy, excited to work with 49ers

Apr 2, 2024, 11:10 AM | Updated: 11:59 am

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 17: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers in action during a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

(Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The 49ers have had a rotating door of quarterbacks since Kyle Shanahan took over in 2017. But the one constant the last two seasons has been Brock Purdy, a player that new backup Josh Dobbs has sung the praises of recently.

The San Francisco 49ers newest backup QB spoke highly of Purdy and the 49ers during an interview with ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Speaking on the insiders’ podcast, “The Adam Schefter Podcast”, Dobbs recalled the first time he faced off against Purdy in Week 4 of the 2023 season. Both gunslingers performed well that day, but it was the Red & Gold that dominated most of the afternoon on the way to a 35-16 win.

Dobbs acknowledged that Purdy does have a great supporting cast around him. However, it still comes down to the QB to pull the strings, something that the 49ers starter excelled at that Sunday.

The Passtronaut, @josh_dobbs1, discusses his year-long journey from Cleveland to Arizona to Minnesota and now to San Francisco, where he has signed a one-year deal with the 49ers.

🎧 https://t.co/wFnth2nl1A pic.twitter.com/Yx5Lsz6Qrm
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 2, 2024

“We played him in Arizona, and that’s why I respected him so much,” Dobbs said about Purdy. “Now, he does have a great cast, but at the end of the day, he has to be the decision-maker and the driving force of the offense, and the way he makes good decisions, takes care of the football and plays just efficient, clean football. He might not go out there and make the ‘wow’ play all the time, but he’s going to go out there and put his team in a great position to be successful. And that’s what you have to do, especially in the Shanahan offense, especially when you have some really good weapons around you.”

Brock Purdy, 24, has been revered for his quick decision-making and accuracy since storming onto the scene in Week 11 of the 2022 regular season. The Iowa State alum was recognized for his play by his peers last season, making his first Pro Bowl roster. He ended 2023 with the highest yards per attempt (9.6) for a player with 1,000 passing yards or more. He also had career highs in completion percentage, touchdowns and passing yards in his first full seasons as a starter.

Purdy’s play goes beyond the stats for Dobbs though, impressed with how he’s carried himself in his young NFL journey. The latter is also enthralled by how Purdy has rebounded from major elbow surgery to lead his squad to a Super Bowl.

Now on the 49ers for at least one season, Dobbs is looking to bring his wisdom to the 49ers’ QB room, learning and sharing along the way.

“And so that’s why I’ve respected seeing how he’s been able to quickly do that from the first year, getting thrown into the fire, because I know what that feels like,” Dobbs continued. “And then being able to go to the NFC Championship game, be one injury away from going to the Super Bowl, and then go to the Super Bowl the next year in the midst of, obviously, all the people trying to say he’s a game manager, yada, yada, yada…

“At the end of the day, he wins football games and he plays efficient football. That’s all you can ask for. So that’s what I’m most excited about, just being able to obviously provide my perspective on what I’ve learned throughout the league and be able to assume whatever role that looks like this upcoming year. But to be around that and that coaching and that type of player and that type of room and that consistency, I think it’d be really good for me, and I’m excited to see what I’ll be able to add and help the team with for this upcoming year.”