Purdy’s Playoff Pursuit: 49ers QB Aims for Super Bowl Redemption
As the San Francisco 49ers entered training camp, the biggest questions about one of the NFL’s most talented teams revolved around quarterback Brock Purdy.Purdy had to prove that his late-season success as a seventh-round pick in 2022 wasn’t a fluke, and that the major elbow injury that derailed San Francisco’s Super Bowl hopes wasn’t going to happen. will limit him this season.
After going through the regular season posting some of the most efficient numbers for a quarterback and starting every game before a meaningless Week 18, Purdy answered all those questions.
Now he has to prove he can be the quarterback who can help lead the Niners to a Super Bowl championship that has eluded them under coach Kyle Shanahan.Purdy and the 49ers (12-5) earned the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye thanks in part to their performance.
San Francisco tried to stay sharp this week before opening the postseason at home on Jan. 20 or 21 against the lowest remaining seed in the NFC playoffs after the wild weekend.After making the playoffs last season as a rookie, Purdy knows what to expect when the stakes get higher this time of year.
“I just feel like you’re going to get the best ball out of everybody, andquot,” he said. “Everyone is tuned in to what they need to do at a high level. Every drive, every play really matters. Obviously, that’s how it’s supposed to be in the regular season, but after last year’s season, I feel like I’ve felt it. … Every asset has value. Doesn’t spin the ball like every little thing matters. So I just feel like the intensity has just gone up a little bit more.
Purdy did a great job of it last year, throwing for 332 yards with three touchdowns and a TD in a Wild Card win over Seattle, then a shutout over Dallas in the divisional round. He then injured his elbow in the NFC Championship Game against Philadelphia and was forced back into the game in the second half, despite being unable to throw the ball more than a couple of yards.
That led to elbow surgery in March and questions early in the season that Purdy answered firmly.He started pitching in late May and returned to training camp when he quickly erased any questions about whether he would be San Francisco’s Week 1 starter.He delivered then immediately from the beginning of the season. He became the first Niners quarterback in more than 20 years to throw for more than 4,000 yards (4,280) or at least 30 TDs (31). He led the NFL with a 113 passer rating and his 9.6 yards per attempt were the most by a QB in the NFL since Kurt Warner’s 9.9 in 2000.
“He’s mature enough to handle the pressure of being the 49ersand# 039;, breaking records in his first season as a rookie,” Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle said. “People expect a lot from Brock, but I think he does such a good job of being himself.
“Purdy, however, has faced skeptics who attribute his success to Shanahanand#039’s innovative schemes and playmakers such as NFL rushing leader Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuki, Deebo Samuel and Kittle.But none of those doubters were in his dressing room.
“I don’t understand why people say he’s a system quarterback,” left tackle Trent Williams said. “No quarterback in any system can throw tight windows until they get there, throwing people loose, getting the ball in the window and trusting their receiver to get there.
Balle puts the ball to defenders in good position. He’s so accurate. You looks in. many throws and accuracy allows men to run after the catch. I don’t think he gets enough credit for that.” never shirked the blame for his mistakes and always responded in a way that gave his teammates confidence that he could handle whatever obstacles might come his way in the playoffs.”I never care about Purdy,” Kittle said. “He threw several interceptions in the game. I’m not too worried. He bounces back like he always does.”.
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