Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers are readying to take on Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58. Both quarterbacks have a lot at stake with Mahomes having a chance to win back-to-back Super Bowls and further adding to his résumé as he creeps into rare status amongst his peers.
Purdy, meanwhile, is merely in Year 2 looking to gain the respect he deserves. With a Super Bowl title under his belt, he may become too accomplished to ignore.
The conversation regarding Purdy and where he ranks amongst his peers is a hot topic. However, ESPN NFL Analyst Louis Riddick is already firmly a believer in the 49ers’ QB.
Louis Riddick Rips Brock Purdy Critics
How Purdy is viewed squarely depends on who you ask. Some believe he’s a game manager who is just operating Kyle Shanahan’s offense and is used as a way to diminish his accomplishments. Others, like Riddick, believe in what Purdy is doing.
On the latest episode of ESPN’s Get Up, Riddick took a chance to unload on the naysayers surrounding the 49ers’ quarterback.
“Look man, we always try to make the greatest team sport in the world, to a game about individuals,” Riddick started.
“People will do gymnastics in their minds trying to cut him (Brock Purdy) down, but the fact of the matter is, objectively, the stats say he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, if not the best. And if he wins this Super Bowl, I can’t wait to see how people twist themselves into a pretzel trying to discredit what he did.
“I cannot wait. I’m gonna get my popcorn, and I’m gonna sit back and watch them twist because it’s gonna be hilarious if he wins.”
Riddick brought strong words to the Purdy argument. He spoke about the fact that it feels like people don’t look at Purdy in the same way they do a Patrick Mahomes, or a C.J. Stroud based on the eye test.
But by all objective measures, Purdy is playing the position the way it is intended to be played.
MORE: Brock Purdy Shines on Super Bowl Opening Night
The ESPN analyst brings an interesting point of view to the debate, as surely a Super Bowl run from Purdy this year could change the narrative completely. The idea that it may not could further poke holes in the evaluator’s logic if they don’t choose to give Purdy the credit he deserves if he does.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!