Brock Purdy didn't have the best performance of his young NFL career in the 49ers' win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, but his response to adversity proved it to NBC Sports Bay Area's Donte Whitner.
Whitner believes Purdy's ability to get the team on his side and pull off a 24-21 comeback win to start the season makes it easy to see the quarterback's future with the 49ers and his role as a franchise quarterback to consolidate.
“After Saturday's big comeback win against the Green Bay Packers, I think it's fair to say that Brock Purdy has arrived,” Whitner said in the latest edition of “Hitner's Hot Take.” “And we can get rid of the 'game manager' label. He had ice water in his veins. Yes, he missed a few shots throughout the day, but when it really mattered in the fourth quarter, Brock Purdy put the offense on his shoulders.” . …
“I think it's fair to say that we can say that the 49ers have their franchise quarterback in Brock Purdy after he was considered for MVP during the season and after he led the 49ers to a big comeback win in led to the playoffs.”
Purdy completed 23 of his 39 attempts for 252 yards, a touchdown and an 86.7 passer rating in Saturday's win. His performance in the first three and a half quarters raised some eyebrows, but he showed up and played his best when it mattered most.
His game-winning performance in the final minutes of the game, followed by Dre Greenlaw's crucial interception, ultimately secured San Francisco the title. And while Purdy, coach Kyle Shanahan and several other 49ers players acknowledged there is still plenty of room for improvement ahead of Sunday's NFC championship game against the Detroit Lions, Whitner was nothing short of impressed with Purdy's demeanor down the stretch.
“The throw over the middle for Jauan Jennings was probably his best throw of the year,” Whitner said. “The throw to [Chris] Conley on the sidelines shows that he trusts each and every one of his playmakers, even if they are not starters. And the best thing he did was give it his all without one of his top playmakers in Deebo Samuel. Heading into Saturday's ballgame, the 49ers were 0-3 when Deebo Samuel didn't finish the game.
“The Green Bay Packers defense played well. They did a really good job of redirecting the 49ers' skill position players and messing up the timing for Brock Purdy. But he tightened the screws in the fourth quarter. And after struggling for the majority of the game, Brock Purdy put the offense on his shoulders.”
Purdy's professional career is just beginning, but if he can help lead San Francisco to Super Bowl LVIII and bring home the franchise's sixth Vince Lombardi Trophy, Whitner's prediction could go from hot idea to reality.
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