The term “system quarterback” has been carved up like Thanksgiving turkey by Brock Purdy.
Facing constant criticism that the talent around him on the San Francisco 49ers makes him better, Purdy went 21-of-30 in the air for 209 yards and one touchdown in the 31-13 holiday trouncing of the rival Seattle Seahawks. And his latest performance helped fan the critics’ noise outside of the Bay Area.
San Francisco 49ers Teammates Defended Brock Purdy Before Thanksgiving Game
Before guiding the 49ers to the rout on a short week in the crucial NFC West showdown, Purdy and the Niners had heard all the negative noise about the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Purdy endured a two-interception night against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7, which became their third straight loss to that point. Purdy blamed himself for the loss, but that gave his critics enough fuel to sound off.
Some used the Vikings loss as their proof Purdy wasn’t a deep ball passer. Others looked at the Minnesota loss as the game that finally exposed Purdy as a quarterback. They pointed out how the third straight loss showed that Purdy is nothing more than a “system quarterback.”
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Purdy, however, had his backers in the 49ers facility. Christian McCaffrey even believes Purdy plays better when he receives backlash.
“There’s always going to be critics. He knows that; everybody in here knows that,” McCaffrey said to reporters Sunday. “I like it when he plays edgy with a bit of a chip on his shoulder.”
The running back added: “I kind of hope the critics keep coming because it pisses him off and he plays really well.”
McCaffrey’s words came after Purdy shredded the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three touchdowns and 333 passing yards. George Kittle was another 49ers star who took Purdy’s side.
“System quarterback, right?” Kittle asked reporters after the Sunday win. “It’s crazy. He’s just a guy who is taking advantage of his opportunity. Brock’s fantastic with the way that he shows up every day.”
George Kittle oh Brock Purdy’s perfect passer rating, “system quarterback right?” 👀
“A guy who is taking advantage of his opportunity. Brock is fantastic. The way he shows up every single day.” pic.twitter.com/JVZeeiHglu
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) November 20, 2023
Now, Purdy has guided the 49ers to three straight wins — all in lopsided fashion as the Niners have defeated their opponents by 13 points or more.
Purdy Made Mental Decision on TD Pass, Kyle Shanahan Says
Purdy ended up sticking the Thanksgiving Day knife into the Seahawks on this long touchdown strike to Brandon Aiyuk, the final touchdown of the night.
Brock 🎯 BA @brockpurdy13 | @THE2ERA#SFvsSEA on @SNFonNBC
NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/s6HiWpwNeg— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 24, 2023
But according to head coach Kyle Shanahan, Purdy turned to his brain before turning to his arm on that play.
“I couldn’t believe it because their zone coverage guys were so deep — which usually you can check it down underneath them,” Shanahan explained to reporters.
In other words, the 28-yard strike was supposed to be a shorter pass. Purdy went for the dagger … and it led to six.
“It was just a hell of a throw,” Shanahan said.
A bold decision like that helps bury the “system quarterback” narrative as the QB trusted his instincts and judgment more than the original play call. That strike also gave Purdy his 10th touchdown pass since that mistake-prone night in Minnesota.
And in the process, Purdy has quieted those who doubt him and believe the playmakers around him bail him out.
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