Kyle Shanahan still dislikes Brock Purdy opening TD pass in Week 10

Nov 16, 2023, 6:00 AM | Updated: 1:46 pm

Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a touchdown with Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San...

Mike Carlson/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense was cooking from the opening drive in Week 10 in Jacksonville, ending with a circus-like touchdown pass that made Kyle Shanahan cringe. And after further review, the coach is still queasy from the play.

The San Francisco 49ers coach was asked about Purdy’s remarkable play to give his side the lead early. While Shanahan is happy the play ended with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk scoring, he still called it one of the young quarterback’s worst decisions at the moment.

Now a few days later, Shanahan was again asked about the play, giving the same answer as before.

“No,” Kyle Shanahan said with a grin about the Brock Purdy throw Wednesday. “I was happy he did it and now I love the result.”

Shanahan still hates Purdy's risky TD pass after watching the tape 😅 pic.twitter.com/SqmqRVBiuo

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) November 15, 2023

To his credit, Brock Purdy agreed as well, noting that it was one of his worst decisions in the NFL to date.

“I’m not necessarily proud of that play, honestly,” Purdy said postgame Sunday. “I mean, yes it was a touchdown and everything. Great. BA made a great play, but I’ve got to be smart with the ball and if anything I should have ran the ball.”

At the end of the day though, the play resulted in six points, putting both men at ease

It also helps Shanahan that Purdy is so situationally aware at 23 years old. Sure, the coach would have preferred a safer option, but it’s the gunslinger’s confidence to let it rip that the coach loves. Also as much as Purdy’s ability to be coached.

“No, he agrees with me by the time he gets to the sideline. Brock sees football pretty well. No one’s going to be perfect. People, it’s really easy when you’re watching it from afar. You’ve got to react and play football in the pocket or outside the pocket. He knows when he makes a bad decision and that’s why he’s fun to talk to about it, [he’s] fun to coach,” Shanahan explained.

Purdy’s best decision/throw of the game was even more fun for the 49ers, with Shanahan fist-pumping with excitement in the end.

On the second play of the second half, the 49ers QB unleashed a 40-yard bomb to tight end George Kittle. The playmaker ran a wheel route, losing his man before catching the perfectly thrown pass in stride to literally walk into the endzone.

More impressively, Purdy threw the ball with no room in the pocket, as if he was a soldier on the battlefield.

Say whatever you will about the 49ers' Brock Purdy, but this is a ridiculous throw.

Under pressure, can't step into the throw properly, and still an absolute DIME to George Kittle. pic.twitter.com/qbWVUWqOf1

— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) November 14, 2023

“It looked like someone’s throwing a grenade out of a bunker,” Shanahan added. “I’m just watching it and hoping it lands in Kittle’s hands and once it does, felt pretty good about it.”

Brock Purdy finished Week 10 with 296 passing yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. He now leads the NFL in quarterback rating and passer rating.