The San Francisco 49ers may be dealing with a slew of injuries, but head coach Kyle Shanahan remains focused on the progress of his players, especially his starting quarterback, Brock Purdy. As the team prepares for the upcoming season, Shanahan has had ample opportunities to evaluate Purdy, who will be entering his pivotal third season in the NFL.
During a recent press conference, Shanahan shared his thoughts on Purdy’s development and leadership. Despite being Mr. Irrelevant as the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy has earned the respect of his teammates through his on-field performance and unwavering commitment.
“I think when you’ve done what you’ve done on the field, it’s always easier to lead,” Shanahan said. “No matter what type of leader you are, if you haven’t had much success on the field, that doesn’t last very long. He did that as a rookie, but now, after an unbelievable year and overcoming injury, he’s in a much more natural position to lead. The team respects him on the field and as a person.”
Purdy’s journey from a third-string quarterback behind Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo to the undisputed QB1 for the 49ers has been remarkable. If he can build on his first two seasons and continue to refine his game, Purdy could be looking at a significant contract extension in the near future.
However, Shanahan identified one area where Purdy can still improve: his processing abilities. As Shanahan and Purdy begin to see the field in the same way, the young quarterback will be better equipped to maximize the plays called for him.
“I was so excited with how he did right away,” Shanahan remarked. “Watching him overcome injury last year was unbelievable. He’s got enough tape out there for everyone to see what he is—a very good quarterback. The way he’s built, the way his mind works, the way he works at things—those only get better with reps and being in more situations.”
Shanahan explained the challenge of balancing the mental and physical aspects of the game, especially for a quarterback. “Players don’t get to sit in a room with a slow-motion remote like coaches do. They have to work on being an athlete on the field.
You hope they can count on the coach to bridge that gap, but it’s always good for a quarterback to know a lot. Sometimes, knowing too much can be a hindrance. The more they play, the more they learn, and Brock has handled it very well.”
In today’s NFL, a quarterback’s ability to quickly read and react to defenses is crucial. Shanahan’s offense is designed to create opportunities for easy yards after the catch, and while Purdy has already proven he can operate within this system, further growth could unlock even greater potential for the 49ers’ offense.
As Purdy enters the 2024-2025 season, the sky’s the limit for what he and the 49ers can achieve if he continues to develop his game and refine his decision-making on the field.
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