Sando: 49ers’ sack-free start shows Brock Purdy’s growth

The San Francisco 49ers are off to a perfect 4-0 start, but The Athletic’s Mike Sando believes the bigger question is whether the team can maintain that pace over the season.

Sando joined Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys to discuss San Francisco’s impressive start, Brock Purdy’s role in the team’s historic sack-free streak, Kyle Juszczyk’s importance and the surprising start of the Las Vegas Raiders.

The 49ers have overcome a long list of injuries while continuing to produce offensively. One of the most remarkable aspects of their start is that Purdy has yet to be sacked.

Sando believes Purdy deserves significant credit for that.

“The quarterbacks really have a lot to do with that,” Sando said. “So I give Purdy a lot of credit for that.”

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 27: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium on September 27, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

More on Brock Purdy & the 49ers offense

Sando pointed to Brock Purdy’s ability to get rid of the football rather than force plays, which has helped eliminate negative plays.

“If your quarterback holds the ball, you’re going to take sacks,” Sando said. “I think that’s one thing Purdy’s done a nice job of is not trying to do too much, just being able to get rid of it.”

While the 49ers have looked nearly unstoppable through four games, Sando cautioned that their current level of success may be difficult to sustain.

San Francisco has one of the NFL’s oldest rosters, and he expects teams like Seattle and the Los Angeles Rams to improve as the season progresses.

Sando also believes the 49ers will feel the absence of Juszczyk, who is dealing with a knee injury. The veteran fullback has been a critical piece of Kyle Shanahan’s offense for years because of his versatility and understanding of the system.

“He’s way more valuable than most people at that position,” Sando said.

Watch the full conversation in the video player at the top of the page or on the Sactown Sports YouTube page.

Listen to The Drive Guys from 2 – 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

More 49ers content from Sactown Sports

• Barrows: Behind the 49ers’ 4-0 start to the season
• ESPN’s Nick Wagoner: Brock Purdy is playing at an MVP level
• Is Brock Purdy A Top-Tier Quarterback?

Upcoming San Francisco 49ers 2026 Schedule

• Sunday, October 11th – @ Seattle Seahawks – 1:25 pm PT
• Monday, October 19th – vs. Washington Commanders – 5:15 pm PT
• Sunday, October 25th – @ Atlanta Falcons – 10:00 am PT
• Sunday, November 8th – vs. Las Vegas Raiders – 1:05 pm PT
• Sunday, November 15th – @ Dallas Cowboys – 1:25 pm PT

Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our Sactown Sports YouTube page. channel.

Related

High School Showcase: Manteca HC Mark VarnumTim Plough breaks down UC Davis’ explosive win, BYE week priorities49ers-Seahawks: ESPN insider explains why SF must run the ballHas Keegan Murray reached his NBA ceiling?NFL rescinds Kyle Juszczyk’s ‘chugging’ fineWhat Doug Christie Wants From the Sacramento Kings Defense