The takes run the entire range of course, from he's elite to he's trash; the general public's opinions keep closer to the extremes, though even the pros are well divided one way or the other. Very few moderates here. Weird, right? In 2024?
Generally, I like the writers of The Ringer. Nora Princiotti is good at NFL journalism. But even they, and Ms Princiotti here, are caught in the wash of how much Mr 262 contributes to Shanahan's efficacy.
In this particular linked article, I don't know that the writer actually comes to any conclusions or even states any strong opinions. She just seems to lightly label him meh, without saying those words.
The main stickling point for me, though, is this quote:
"The simplest answer is that Purdy is the closest embodiment of one of the NFL’s most enduring debates: QB winz, baby!"
No. Jimmy Garoppolo was and is the closest embodiment of that. The hand-wringing of how much a QB owns wins, or not.
That Purdy elevates the Niners beyond where Jimmy G could take them, is verified by straight up stats, more in-depth analytics, and the eye test. I mean, watch a Niners game people.
Listen: I've watched almost every Niners game over the past what, I don't even know how many years. Certainly this year, and over the Shanahan era. During all of Jimmy's years as starter, never did I feel secure in the knowledge that he could and would lead a scoring drive and/or he would NOT make a fatal mistake to lose the game. I loved Jimmy, he's charismatic as hell, but he was not elite. He was anxiety under center. He was not a tidal boat lifter.
I do think that Brock is able to raise his teammates though. I mean, the yards per attempt stat alone - he throws a very nice, underrated middle-deep ball. Aiyuk is better with Brock behind center. He also throws guys open, which has made a difference for Deebo. He throws bonehead throws every once in awhile too - who doesn't? But, I don't have nearly the same anxiety level when he throws a seam or feathers one into coverage the same way I did with Jimmy. (Two examples stand out immediately: to Jauan on the final drive last Sunday vs the Packers, and that Aiyuk TD against Seattle in week 12. The ball drops in the middle of four defenders. It's perfect.)
Where Ms Princiotti is right on the money is in the headline (which maybe was generated by her editor, I dunno). "The Brock Purdy Debate Isn't Really About Brock Purdy At All." YES! In this regard, Richard Sherman said it best: if all these stats and the record and trips to the playoffs were generated by Zach Wilson, drafted 2nd overall, no one would be questioning the greatness of the QB play. It's because Purdy was drafted LAST overall that people can't wrap their heads around how wrong they were.
Here's another thing that was said this week. "The single hardest thing I had to do this year was act like Brock Purdy deserved to be in the conversations with [Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson]," said Ryan Clark on ESPN. Who asked you to, and why did you agree? Because back in October you called Brock "elite." So ... you said that to cause discord with Shannon Sharpe and bump ratings? Similar to what you're doing here? Well that's cool,. Except for your credibility - that's not cool, that's trash now.
Clark goes on to say Purdy is a fine QB and operates Shanahan's system well - both true. But then, "Brock Purdy doesn’t raise the level of play of anyone around him." Strong disagree. See above.
Brock Purdy is less likely to superman a game winning drive like Mahomes or Allen or Jackson, okay sure. Not impossible, but less likely for sure. But it IS possible though - he just wouldn't do it by flicking the ball 70 air yards down the field, or dancing like a cat around 11 defenders, or running / busting through a linebacker and a safety. Brock would win by recognizing coverage and throwing open Deebo or Kittle or Aiyuk. He might even scramble for a first down or bootleg to wait a guy open. He's 100% capable of doing these things, and that is stuff he is given so little credit for. This is how Montana won. (I'm not saying Purdy is Montana, stop it.)
Brock Purdy isn't "elite" in the sense that he's not a top 5 QB in the NFL in arm strength or run threat or certainly draft status. He doesn't hold the same bag of potential miracles that Mahomes, Allen and Jackson do. But I would argue he's top 5 in processing and decision making, and he's highly underrated in (middle-)deep balls and touch passes. And that stuff does elevate the guys around him 100%. For the best example, see Burrow, Joe.
I'm not saying Purdy is Burrow, just like he's not Montana. He's not Mahomes or any of them. But he is a really, really good quarterback and I bet of the seven other teams that took QBs in the 2022 draft (Pittsburgh took two), seven teams wish they'd taken Brock Purdy.
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