Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo may have been playing the best football of his career before going down with a broken foot in Week 13. Rookie Brock Purdy stepped in at quarterback, and the San Francisco 49ers haven't missed a beat.
Many would say that the 49ers look even better with Purdy, the last overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, leading the offense. The team continues to win football games, with their win streak now at nine games, five of which have been with Purdy under center.
During this win streak, San Francisco averaged 26 points per game with Garoppolo at quarterback. That number has improved to 32.6 points per game with Purdy. So what about the 23-year-old quarterback makes him more effective than Garoppolo?
"I just think it's general movement," NFL analyst Brian Baldinger said Tuesday on 95.7 The Game. "The way that he moves and the way that he gets himself set to throw. We have all seen Jimmy. When the clock is ticking, and you're past two-and-a-half seconds, we've all seen those feet. We've all seen kind of the throw where he just doesn't—he's got a good quick release, but he doesn't really step into the throw. Sometimes the ball is sailing on him, and in the middle of the field, we've seen some dangerous throws.
"I just don't see that from Brock. I see calm feet, good feet. And I see movement that is the right movement. I'm watching Carson Wentz the other day; it's just one panic attack after another. Like, there's no panic attacks with this kid (Purdy).
"Maybe that's 47 games in college. Maybe that's just the way he was coached, the way he was groomed. I don't think you're going to see a panicking quarterback, regardless of who's breathing down his neck. I just think you're going to see smart decisions and the footwork that's going to be able to get him to a good spot to make good throws."
Garoppolo is scheduled to become a free agent after this season and will likely play elsewhere during the 2023 season. San Francisco entered this season with Trey Lance as the starting quarterback. The team's handling of the situation will likely be one of the top 49ers-related offseason storylines.
You can listen to the entire interview with Baldinger below.
