San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has taken the NFL by storm ever since he took over the team’s starting spot in Week 13 of the 2022 season.
But he was the last player chosen in the 2022 draft, and it has created a mental block of sorts that has left plenty of people refusing to admit how good he is.
Alex Smith, who was the 49ers’ QB1 from 2005 to 2012, fought back against the criticism being levied at Purdy and complimented the Iowa State University product, per NBC Sports.
“The naysayers out there, the doubters, I think it’s such garbage,” Smith said. “I think these people are just trying to make headlines and they’re certainly not watching football. This guy had arguably one of the best seasons from a quarterback in the last 25 years. It was one of the best seasons the 49ers ever had at the quarterback position. That’s five MVPs there! And to do it coming off his elbow [surgery], no offseason — he’s just continued to ascend.”
Former 49ers QB Alex Smith says the Brock Purdy slander is “garbage,” and he’s excited to witness his continued growth https://t.co/nyEHPwQle1
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) May 10, 2024
Purdy threw for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns last season, and he ranked fifth and third, respectively, in those categories.
He was also first in passer rating, QBR, passing touchdown percentage, and yards per pass attempt.
Critics claim that Purdy only put up those numbers because he has great talent around him and a great offensive mind in head coach Kyle Shanahan, but the same could be said of many great quarterbacks both past and present.
He led San Francisco to come-from-behind wins in both the divisional round and the NFC Championship Game against strong Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions squads, and he took them to the brink of a Vince Lombardi Trophy afterward.
It took some clutch heroics from Patrick Mahomes to stop the Niners from winning it all in the Super Bowl.
The Niners are now poised to return their offensive core this fall, and they have brought in a couple of reinforcements on defense, including pass rusher Leonard Floyd, who will line up opposite of Nick Bosa.
Perhaps another shot at the world championship is in the cards for Purdy and the 49ers, and if they get it done this time, his critics will run out of excuses.
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