Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Why 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan didn’t panic after Brock Purdy’s slow start vs. Seahawks
Jan 16, 2023 at 11:43 AM
•
Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers got off to a slow start during Saturday's playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks. Sometimes you forget Purdy is a rookie quarterback making his sixth NFL start. He has looked so good during his previous six games, including his Week 13 action when he replaced an injured Jimmy Garoppolo, that the expectations for the 23-year-old are extremely high.
A couple of off-target throws in the first half against the Seahawks left some fans wondering if the playoff jitters had gotten a hold of the seventh-round draft pick. One person who wasn't concerned at all was the quarterback's head coach.
"There was a couple of open guys that he just missed," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters via a conference call on Monday. "I know when that happens, it sticks out as [him] not playing well because they were plays that he should have made. But all the other plays, he did play well. So when you just have a couple of misses, you really don't want to panic. I mean, Brock's an accurate thrower. He's been doing that all year and playing well.
"He just missed a few, and I don't think there's really much of an explanation for it. We just had to settle him down a little bit and give him a few more opportunities, and he got those in the second half and was pretty lethal with them."
That was a message that the coach shared with his rookie quarterback at halftime. Purdy had to take advantage of his opportunities.
"I think when you go in, in the first half, and you're averaging eight-and-a-half yards a play, and you scored on all your three possessions, you just came up short in the red zone on two, I don't think there is much of a panic," Shanahan admitted. "I think everyone's like, 'Holy cow. We're getting after these guys. We've just got to start scoring touchdowns because we missed two opportunities. We've only had the ball three times. Let's figure out how to finish these.'
"I don't think it was that big of a deal at halftime. That first half almost went as good as it could, but if we don't finish some of these big plays, and we just keep getting field goals, then you're going to have to be dependent on them not scoring the rest of the game to try to win, and we don't want to have to be dependent on that."
Shanahan believes the 49ers coming out of halftime and scoring on their first possession in the third quarter was a momentum shifter. Purdy finished the game 18-of-30 for 332 yards and three touchdowns, adding four carries for 16 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Shanahan added, "I think that was a huge deal for us, and then we kind of took off from there."
Related News
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
Kyle Shanahan: 49ers QB Brock Purdy throwing 3 times a week, "right on track" with recovery
The San Francisco 49ers were optimistic that quarterback Brock Purdy would fully recover from offseason surgery in time for the regular season. That hasn't changed as the team kicked off its mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.
Purdy underwent surgery on March 10 to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow. He started some limited throwing last week, a big step in his rehab.
Reporters got a glimpse of Purdy on Tuesday, running on the side as his teammates practiced. While no throws were observed during the session, the recovering quarterback does throw multiple times a week.
"He's right on pace," head coach Kyle Shanahan said after Tuesday's practice. "I think he throws three times a week. I do not sit and watch those. It's part
Why John Lynch believes 49ers QB Brock Purdy is the "real deal"
By Rohan Chakravarthi
May 31
Over the offseason, there has been significant talk surrounding the San Francisco 49ers and their quarterbacks, especially after the team signed Sam Darnold in free agency, providing them three capable options with starting experience in the former Carolina Panther, Brock Purdy, and Trey Lance.
Purdy is evidently the leader in the clubhouse, as stated by general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan several times this offseason, but many have pointed out his flaws, such as the inability to make throws downfield, as a reason why one of the other quarterbacks could win over the starting job with a strong performance in organized team activities(OTAs) and training camp.
What do the 49ers believe about Purdy's downfield ability?
General manager
John Lynch: 49ers 'incredibly encouraged' after Brock Purdy throwing session
Brock Purdy started throwing this week, and it sounds like the San Francisco 49ers are pleased with their second-year quarterback's progress. While Purdy isn't doing anything overly taxing, it is the first time he is throwing a football—albeit reportedly a lighter-weighted one.
Purdy underwent surgery on March 10 to repair the tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, an injury suffered against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. His recovery is expected to last into late August or early September—barring any setbacks.
"There are certain markers that you hit," general manager John Lynch said Wednesday morning on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "He was 12 weeks out, and that meant it was time to throw. He did so and
Rapoport: I think Brock Purdy is the 49ers' Week 1 starter
The word "if" has often been thrown around while discussing the San Francisco 49ers' quarterback situation. The team's top decision-makers have repeatedly stated that Brock Purdy would be the "leader in the clubhouse" to be the Week 1 starter ... IF he were healthy.
That has always been the big question mark on the Purdy situation. The second-year quarterback underwent surgery on March 10 to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his throwing arm. The procedure was estimated to carry a six-month recovery time with it.
Six months would be early September.
However, in recent weeks, there has been growing optimism that Purdy could be cleared some time in late August, increasing his chances of being ready for the start of the regular
