San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has a simple explanation for why third-year quarterback Brock Purdy isn’t getting the recognition he deserves: people are looking for clickbait tales.
Despite leading the Niners to a Super Bowl berth in his first full season as a starting quarterback and finishing as the top runner-up in MVP voting, Purdy has received a lot of criticism, with some considering him a game manager at quarterback.
Detractors frequently point to his stacked supporting cast, which includes four-time All-Pro tight end Kittle, the league’s top running back in Christian McCaffrey, and one of the finest receiving duos in Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, as a significant reason for Purdy’s success. Kittle discusses why the media is pushing this particular narrative of Purdy rather than giving credit where it is due.
“I really think that people just like controversy,” Kittle adds in a one-on-one interview. “If anyone can argue with anyone, they prefer to do so in the media. And the Niners fan base is massive, and they are extremely protective of their athletes.
Any time there is clickbait about why Brock Purdy isn’t excellent, the Niners fan base will react because they all trust in him. “I believe it is more of a clickbait thing.”
The 30-year-old tight end, who previously lauded Purdy by stating he “looks like the guy” following OTAs, now defends his quarterback and explains why he is one of the greatest in the league.
“If you’re someone who actually paid attention to football and actually know how to watch it, you’d say he’s a top quarterback in the NFL,” according to Kittle. “That is why he ended as the top runner-up in MVP voting.
When people say he has a really good squad around him, it still takes a good guy to go out there and execute. And you can see all the plays he makes; he’s an excellent football player. People who don’t believe that aren’t likely to watch much football.”
The media’s portrayal of Purdy has been shocking given that he is the epitome of a feel-good success story. Purdy was the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant,” and immediately emerged as the Niners’ best quarterback option during his rookie season, taking over the starting job late in the season.
The Iowa State quarterback went on to win the first seven games of his career, but a severe UCL damage suffered during the NFC Championship Game against the Eagles terminated their season.
Despite being unable to participate in full offseason team workouts owing to the injury, Purdy carried his success from the previous season into the 2023 season, guiding the Niners to a Super Bowl berth and ranking among the best quarterbacks in every major passing category.
The 24-year-old led the NFL in quarterback rating (113.0) and yards gained per attempt (9.6) while setting a franchise single-season record for throwing yards (4,280).
Instead of recognizing him for his early-career success (he is the lowest-drafted quarterback to ever start a Super Bowl and led the Niners in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVIII), the media has focused on a negative narrative surrounding Purdy.
Kittle explains why Purdy has developed so much as he approaches his third season, especially how he is becoming more confident and vocal as a leader. ”
Just being around him for the past month, since the spring, he just kind of has this intensity to him every single day,” Kittle says. “He’s his hardest critic, but he comes in every day with a purpose.
He also gets the boys to go around him. He’s focusing on the wide receivers, tight ends, and runners.
And to watch him take ownership of the offense because he’s at ease with it, he’s maturing, and he’s no longer the new kid on the block who’s just trying not to make mistakes. He confidently accepts responsibility for the offense.
While Purdy and the Niners appear unconcerned by the unwarranted criticism, it will likely take a Super Bowl victory to change the narrative surrounding the young star quarterback.