San Francisco 49ers fans aren't the only ones in awe of the impressive numbers quarterback Brock Purdy is achieving this season. The second-year player is on course to establish a new single-season franchise record for passing yards and leads the league in several categories, including completion percentage (70.2) and yards per attempt (9.9).
Head coach Kyle Shanahan joined Bay Area radio station KNBR on Thursday afternoon, expressing his thoughts on the impressive statistics his young quarterback has posted this season.
"It is unbelievable," Shanahan said on the "Tolbert and Copes" show. "I wouldn't even know those numbers until — I know them now because our guy's doing it. And so, I realize, when you look at it, and you're like, 'Oh, that's number one. Is that a big deal?' And then you look, and you're like, 'Oh, my gosh.' You look at the history of it, and you think about some other situations you've been in, and I can't believe what he's doing from the numbers aspect, and also just how he's been playing."
Purdy consistently delivers MVP-worthy performances every week. He has a completion percentage of 70 or higher in eight of his last nine games, including the past seven consecutive games.
"And it was very similar to this last year," Shanahan continued. "He didn't get as much at it, the seven games or whatever it was, but he's been unbelievable. And you just think of the people who have done this before, and I forget what the stat was, but it had to do with yards per attempt and all that stuff and the four guys behind him.
"This thing someone sent me, I think it was 2013, Aaron Rodgers had done it, who was MVP. Then I think it was like 2004, Peyton Manning, who was MVP. Then, it went to like 1988, Boomer Esiason, who was the MVP. Then, the fifth one was [in] 1984, Dan Marino, MVP.
"And then to have Brock with those four guys behind him in those years, it kind of put it in perspective on what he is doing on the field."
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk recently explained why Purdy deserves the NFL MVP award, saying, "He's been extremely efficient this entire season. He's led the best offense in the NFL, and people love to [say], 'Oh, he's just surrounded by so many weapons.' Well, the ball still needs to get snapped, put in his hands, and he's got to make those plays. And he's done it week in, week out, and I think he's done it at the best, highest level in the league this year. So that's why I think he deserves it."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Shanahan below.
