Richard Sherman is fed up with criticism of Brock Purdy.
After being shown a clip by Fox Sports' Colin Cowherd on Saturday in which he harshly criticized Purdy's play in the 49ers' divisional round playoff win over the Green Bay Packers, Sherman quickly and passionately came to the young quarterback's defense, lambasting Cowherds Lack of facts claimed.
“If you were watching [Packers quarterback] Jordan Love and you saw that game – Jordan Love is an incredible talent – he played worse down the stretch than they needed him to. He played worse, that’s why his team lost,” Sherman told Keyshawn Johnson on the “All Facts No Brakes” podcast. “So you’re saying he’s a more talented quarterback? This means that you hide behind rhetoric or words because you cannot statistically back up what you are saying.
“Show me the stats. Because if Brock Purdy threw interceptions like Jordan Love did, he would repeat what he said.”
Purdy didn't have his best performance in Saturday's game, with rainy weather conditions admittedly playing a role in that. But the second-year signal caller delivered when it mattered most, leading a game-winning drive in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, Love also had a chance to get the win for the Packers. And just as they were starting to get the chains going, the 25-year-old quarterback threw an ill-advised pass down the middle of the field that was intercepted by 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
Despite Love's end-of-season mistakes and Purdy's resilience, it was the latter who fell victim to Cowherd's criticism, as “The Herd” host called Purdy the least talented of the eight quarterbacks remaining in the divisional round, behind Love, Jared Goff and Baker Mayfield , CJ Stroud, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.
While Sherman admitted that Purdy wasn't at his best, the former 49ers cornerback believes the criticism is unfair given Purdy's age and experience in the league.
“You're criticizing a guy who's been starting for a year and a half like he's a 10-year Hall of Fame veteran,” Sherman said. “But you don’t recognize him as a 10-year Hall of Fame veteran.”
However, Johnson believes that Purdy's entry into the league is one of the main reasons why it is currently difficult for outsiders to make a decision on the 24-year-old.
Purdy went with the last pick in the 2022 draft and started his rookie season as San Francisco's backup behind quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance. But when both Garoppolo and Lance were out for the season due to their respective injuries, Purdy took over the position under center admirably.
But regardless of the numbers or what he proved on the field, doubts remain about Purdy. If it's not because of his draft status, it's because of critics who claim he's a “game manager” or simply a “system” quarterback.
Sherman doesn't understand how important anything other than his play is when it comes to evaluating Purdy's game.
“If you tell me it's because of things other than the way he plays, then I'll never understand it,” he said. “We sit here and say a Pro Bowl quarterback is a real choice, we sit here and say he’s the worst quarterback there is.” [in the playoffs].
“I guarantee you, Kyle Shanahan, if he had to choose, there probably wouldn't be a single guy other than Patrick Mahomes that he would choose over Brock Purdy. And I’d bet quite a bit of money on it.”
The Purdy criticism isn't new, but there may only be one way to silence the naysayers for good. That task continues on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game against the Detroit Lions, who want to reach Super Bowl LVIII. Maybe, just maybe, the doubt will end.
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