The San Francisco 49ers are looking outstanding to start the new NFL season. They’re 2-0 after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Rams, and although they may not be playing their best football yet, many are starting to believe in their ultimate potential.
Running back Christian McCaffrey has been a monster, and he is the league’s clear leader in rushing yards with 268. Meanwhile, second-year quarterback Brock Purdy, who took the league by storm when he became the Niners’ starter in Week 13 of last season, is continuing to prove that he is the real deal and perhaps a legitimate franchise signal-caller.
While he wasn’t very impressive on Sunday (he didn’t throw a single touchdown pass), he did complete 17 of 25 passes, and he didn’t throw a single interception or commit any turnovers while ably commanding San Francisco’s offense.
McCaffrey praised Purdy’s ball security and decision-making while noting that people aren’t as surprised when he plays well anymore.
Purdy was the last player chosen in the 2022 NFL Draft, and he began last season third on San Francisco’s depth chart. But after Trey Lance, its initial starter, suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2 and his replacement, Jimmy Garoppolo, was sidelined for the rest of the year in Week 13 with a foot injury, Purdy was forced to play, and he proved he could play well.
Initially, some may have dismissed him as a novelty that benefitted from the “complementary football” the Niners utilize on offense, i.e. a run-heavy attack that employs plenty of short passes. But he is still undefeated in games in which he has played a majority of their snaps, and their offense has thrived with him under center.
In 10 games as a starter, including last season’s playoffs, the Iowa State University product has thrown just two interceptions while connecting on 16 touchdown passes. During that time, his passer rating has rivaled that of the NFL’s truly elite.
The team hasn’t had a true franchise QB since Steve Young was forced into retirement following the 1999 season. More and more, it is looking like Brock Purdy could be the man to lead it to its first Super Bowl championship since the 1994 campaign.
Christian McCaffrey and Purdy will continue trying to push the 49ers towards their goal of a championship.
