The Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Brock Purdy 25-22 in the Super Bowl, causing many fans to question the validity of Purdy’s eliteness as an NFL QB.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and the rest of the Chiefs defensive staff are not among those questioning Purdy’s talent, according to senior NFL reporter Albert Breer.
Purdy threw for one touchdown and 255 yards passing on 23 completed passes. His 60.5% completion rate was not enough to carry the 49ers to victory. There were only three other games this season in which Brock Purdy had a worse completion rate than he did in the Super Bowl.
San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy didn’t make glaring mistakes, but he didn’t make any big plays against the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo had high praise for Brock Purdy. In an article from Sports Illustrated, Spagnuolo praised Purdy for his ability to take what the defense gave him in zone coverage.
“The zones, I just think their wideouts and quarterback are so good at their timing routes, and Brock Purdy is really good,” Spagnuolo said “He knew when we were in certain things, and he found seams.”
Another coach on the Kansas City Chiefs defensive staff compared Purdy to legendary New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees. Brees was known for his ability to conservatively pick apart zone defenses.
One @49ers thing I took from reporting this last night—some may question Brock Purdy, but Steve Spagnuolo and the @Chiefs defensive staff doesn’t. They were blown away by how he ripped apart their zone looks. One of the coaches told me he sees Drew Brees qualities in Purdy. https://t.co/rNRHiKud3F
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 12, 2024
Although Purdy was able to find soft spots in zones throughout the game, pressure from the interior defensive line and exceptional cornerback play from L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie prevented Purdy and the 49ers from blowing the game wide open.
The 49ers were deep in Kansas City Chiefs territory with a chance to score a touchdown when pressure from Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones forced an incomplete pass from Brock Purdy. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was wide open in the end zone.
Chris Jones unblocked with Aiyuk wide open pic.twitter.com/tEL1YChAEz
— Guy Haberman (@GuyHaberman) February 12, 2024
While plays like this and a few others like it will only go down as incompletions on the stat sheet, they are huge missed opportunities in a game that went down to the wire. Another missed opportunity from Brock Purdy came early in the fourth quarter when he overthrew WR Deebo Samuel in the end zone.
Maybe Purdy was the one on shrooms here ? https://t.co/b2iz4qcfVy pic.twitter.com/eaJV3aR2YR
— LilRocketNasa🚀 (@lilrocketnasa) February 12, 2024
A Spagnuolo blitz also forced Brock Purdy to throw a crucial incompletion with just two minutes left in the fourth quarter. An extension of the drive could have meant a game-winning field goal for the 49ers.
Purdy & the Niners really could’ve won the Super Bowl on this 3rd & 4 play, but KC defense came up clutch. That close. Id be sick
pic.twitter.com/ZbB080c33g— Jdab (@JDabz87) February 12, 2024
Elite cornerback play from the Kansas City Chiefs prevented Brock Purdy from taking over the game
Even though Brock Purdy missed his fair share of game-changing throws, Kansas City Chiefs cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and L’Jarius Sneed prevented a lot of big plays. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel had 11 targets, but only finished the game with 33 yards on three receptions.
McDuffie, who was acquired as a draft pick that the Kansas City Chiefs received from the Miami Dolphins when they traded WR Tyreek Hill, was someone who many considered to be the most valuable player on the Kansas City Chiefs in this game.
Trent McDuffie had a game. pic.twitter.com/VPypB9uy8Q
— Dan Pizzuta (@DanPizzuta) February 12, 2024
Unreal rep by Trent McDuffie vs. Deebo on a cheat motion. pic.twitter.com/utKoiMnWQI
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) February 12, 2024
3rd-and-9 sack. Watch McDuffie vs. Deebo up top. pic.twitter.com/jhVYaX4rHV
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) February 12, 2024
Despite being on the other end of the only passing touchdown to Brock Purdy had in the entire game, Sneed played a huge part in the Chiefs’ victory.
Now L’Jarius Sneed gets real physical, with Spags making Purdy hot. Elite CB duo for years to come. pic.twitter.com/lxYPCKg5Gx
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) February 12, 2024
Incredible coverage on 3rd and 14
Sneed bumps Aiyuk to the ground (within 5 yards)
And McDuffie suffocates Deebo downfield
Chris Jones destroys Aaron Banks (good lord) pic.twitter.com/8UzLsra5Ef
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) February 12, 2024
Purdy is still a young, developing QB who will have many more chances to prove himself. If he continues to be surrounded by elite pass-catching talent, a career like that of Drew Brees’ is a very believable future.
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