The San Francisco 49ers have one of the most talented and star-studded rosters in the NFL. This is especially true on the offense where Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Brandon Aiyuk terrorize opposing defenses. Of course, the offense also boasts Pro Bowl quarterback Brock Purdy, who may be the most unlikely star in the NFL.
As fans are well aware by now, Purdy is a former Mr. Irrelevant. That is, he was taken with the very last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Prior to having the starting job in San Francisco thrust upon him due to the numerous injuries to the 49ers’ other quarterbacks, no one knew who Purdy was. Now he is one of the biggest names in the sport.
San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Brock Purdy Gets a Great Deal of Criticism
Purdy has only been in the NFL for two years, and has only been a starter for a year and a half. However, in that time, he has led the 49ers to the Playoffs twice and an appearance in the Super Bowl. Indeed, he has accomplished quite a lot in such a short amount of time.
That being said, there are many who do not view him as an elite quarterback in the NFL. One of these people is Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe, who has said of Purdy:
“He’s a product of the system. Now, that’s not to take away from what he’s doing. It’s okay for him to be in the MVP discussion and not be [Chiefs QB] Patrick Mahomes or not be [Dolphins QB] Tua [Tagovailoa], or not be an elite quarterback. He still has to go out there and operate. He just doesn’t have to do as much as, say, those other guys.”
“In this system, the ability to run the football with Christian McCaffrey and all the weapons, because all he has to do is just not turn it over, get it in Aiyuk’s hands, get it in Deebo’s hands, get it in Kittle’s hands, and let them do the work. But no, he’s not elite. [By] no stretch of the imagination is he elite.”
Sharpe is not the only person who believes this, but his stance quoted above is a good representation of all the critics’ views on Purdy.
Unfortunately for the third-year quarterback, as long as the 49ers boast such a star-heavy offense, it is probable that he will get these kinds of comments thrown his way.
However, there is one former Pro Bowl quarterback who could not disagree with Purdy’s critics more.
Former NFL Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck Defends San Francisco 49ers Star Brock Purdy
Recently, three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was a guest speaker at Tight End University, an annual camp for tight ends that George Kittle helps host. During his time at the event, Hasselbeck was interviewed by former NFL tight end Greg Olson, who asked him about Purdy and the criticism that he gets.
“Brock Purdy is a baller. People say, ‘Oh he doesn’t have ‘wow’ throws.’ B.S. Turn the tape on. That guy has ‘wow’ throws. He’s a great quarterback. I know he might not win a combine competition or whatever, but he would win a quarterback competition in my mind. I think he’s a great player.”
Hasselbeck, of course, is spot on in his analysis. People like to throw around the term “system quarterback” as an insult. However, it takes a great deal of hard work, skill, and talent to make any system work. If the system made a quarterback great, every quarterback who played in a great offensive system would, in-turn, be great.
That’s just not the way it is, though. Purdy may play well in Kyle Shanahan’s system, but that does not mean he cannot play well, period.
As a former NFL quarterback who was highly successful, Hasselbeck knows quite a bit regarding what he is talking about.
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1 Comment
Shannon “not so” Sharpe , remind me again who Tua throws to? I think Miami might have a RB or two he can run the ball, what do you say?