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Some are eager to place the blame for the San Francisco 49ers' recent struggles on the shoulders of quarterback Brock Purdy. Former NFL quarterback Alex Smith considers that to be lazy analysis, pointing out that Purdy, the final overall pick in the 2022 draft, is unfairly scrutinized.
No one will argue that Purdy hasn't struggled at times during the 49ers' three-game losing streak. The second-year quarterback has thrown five interceptions during that span, compared to zero in San Francisco's first five games.
Of course, the team as a whole has struggled to play fundamentally sound football. No one inside the 49ers organization would disagree with that.
Smith labels the narrative of Purdy being the problem as "absolute nonsense," noting that the 49ers quarterback ranks second in the NFL in QBR.
"And more importantly, when you turn on the tape, this guy routinely makes ridiculous plays in the passing game look routine. Exactly that," Smith commented on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "He does it week in and week out. There are multiple pass plays every single week that you look at that are like, 'Man, this guy's a six-year, seven-year veteran.' He's playing at that level."
While Purdy may look like a seasoned veteran, Smith believes the quarterback shouldn't be compared to players like Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts. Instead, he should be evaluated within the context of his own draft class. That would mean comparing him to players like Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis.
"He is not the problem," Smith declared. "They're going to get [WR] Deebo [Samuel] back. They're hopefully going to get [T] Trent Williams back. That's going to help. For me, there are far more question marks about this defense, but I still think they're going to get it figured out. They're too good.
"I love that they added [DE] Chase Young here to kind of solidify that defensive front. I think he's going to add to it. I think they're going to get it dialed in."
"The talk about Brock Purdy being the problem is absolutely nonsense."
Alex Smith identifies similarity between 49ers QB Brock Purdy and Patrick Mahomes
By David Bonilla
May 10
Former NFL quarterback Alex Smith, who spent his first eight seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, joined Bay Area radio station KNBR on Friday morning and was asked about the team's current signal-caller, Brock Purdy.
Smith also spent five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. During his last season there, he helped mentor a young quarterback by the name of Patrick Mahomes, who went on to win three Super Bowls.
While Mahomes is widely seen as the best quarterback in the NFL, Smith does see at least one similarity between Purdy and the Chiefs' star.
"Both these guys are football players," Smith said on the "Murph and Markus" show. "These guys are just tough, do whatever it takes to win. They love the moment. That's what's so rare, certainly about Pat,
Watch: 49ers QB Brock Purdy throws out first pitch at Giants game
By David Bonilla
May 14
Fans had the opportunity to cheer for Brock Purdy tonight as the San Francisco 49ers quarterback threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Oracle Park, preceding the Giants' game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
QB1 has arrived 🫡 pic.twitter.com/FDDdVS30p4— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) May 15,
Does 49ers QB Brock Purdy need Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel for success?
By David Bonilla
May 15
Rumors circulated before and during the 2024 NFL Draft about the possibility of the San Francisco 49ers losing one of their top two wide receivers—Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel. Such a scenario could have significantly impacted the team's success in the upcoming season and posed a potential blow for quarterback Brock Purdy, who has thrived alongside the dynamic duo on the field.
However, none of these speculations came to fruition. Both Aiyuk and Samuel remain on the roster, at least for another season, though their future beyond that remains uncertain.
Aiyuk is seeking a contract extension that would position him among the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL. At the same time, Samuel already commands a significant salary following a deal rework in 2022.
Steve Young on keeping the 49ers competitive after paying Brock Purdy
By David Bonilla
May 16
The San Francisco 49ers are gearing up to elevate quarterback Brock Purdy to their highest-paid player status starting next year. Negotiations for a contract extension with the young signal-caller, entering his third NFL season, are on the horizon.
Purdy's on-field performance has far exceeded his current salary. Last season, he set a single-season franchise record with 4,280 passing yards and led the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance while earning a base salary of $870,000. Even for the upcoming season, his salary will only bump up to $985,000. That may sound like a lot to the ordinary person, but it is only a fraction of the team's salary cap.
However, Purdy's next contract is expected to catapult him into the ranks of the NFL's highest-paid players. That title
