Matt Waldman’s RSP Film Room delivers a progress report on 49ers QB Brock Purdy’s development.
Brock Purdy surprised the football world, emerging from the depths of the 2022 NFL Draft’s Mr. Irrelevant to leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl. The third-year quarterback is second only to Malik Willis with 9.26 yards per attempt. As well as Willis played, he returned to the Packers’ bench last Sunday with Jordan Love healthy.
Purdy is currently the best quarterback of his class. While no one thought Purdy would be relevant as soon as he was, I thought Purdy had the talent to work himself into playing time within 2-3 of his selection.
In that scouting report linked above, I explained that Purdy was “a daring player whose play can bleed into reckless behavior.” I liked his pocket management, the way he saw the field, and his confidence in layering throws over and between coverage. If his arm improved I thought those qualities could make him a long-term starter.
What I was seeking was arm talent to push the ball downfield when there are viable man-to-man matchups or zone windows where he could lead receivers with pinpoint accuracy on skinny posts, go routes, and the deep post. If Purdy could also hit the deep comebacks and deep outs to the opposite side of the field, he could transcend his scouting report’s projection.
Three years later, Purdy has developed more arm strength. He’ll never have a cannon like Matt Stafford, but there are multiple throws against New England in Week 4 that illustrate Purdy’s arm is on par with what we saw from Matt Ryan at the peak of his career.
Like Ryan, Purdy demonstrates advanced skills for manipulating every level of coverage. He’s patient with route development from the pocket, he allows pressure close enough to make the most of his pocket management, and he baits defenders with manipulation tactics that generate additional separation for his receivers.
There’s no doubt that the 49ers offensive line, scheme, and wealth of skill talent benefitted Purdy during the past three seasons. A pair of professional recording artists/composers that I met at a music festival in Atlanta last year — both Eagles fans — made a great analogy to my thoughts on quarterback development relative to Purdy’s landing spot.
They explained that the quality of the players you get to perform with can make a massive difference in your development. Great surrounding talent creates more scenarios that unfold the way they should look on paper. When this happens, you don’t have to spend bandwidth on compensating for others’ errors. You can get into the flow of the game easier.
When this happens, that ability to focus and play with people who adjust well to what’s happening as the action unfolds levels up your game faster. This made Purdy’s development easier, but let’s not mistake that luxury with the idea that Purdy lacks talent.
Watch the video above and you’ll see that Purdy is doing a lot to lead this offense in the right direction. He may not be one of the 3-4 best quarterbacks in the NFL as a singular talent, but I won’t be among the masses who question the worth of Purdy’s second contract as a 49ers when it comes.
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