Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo doesn't buy into the notion that Brock Purdy is merely a "game manager." He recognizes his defense's formidable challenge against the San Francisco 49ers quarterback in Super Bowl 58. Spagnuolo, addressing the media on Friday, commended the second-year player, insisting that anyone who closely analyzes Purdy would understand the quarterback's talent level.
"When you dive into it, and you're watching, it's not a quarterback who's managing all those tabs they put on him," Spagnuolo stated. "He's for real. He makes all the throws. He's really, really smart."
Spagnuolo highlights another dimension to the 24-year-old's game that poses a challenge for defenses. Having only extensively studied 49ers film just now, the coach was surprised by Purdy's athleticism.
"This is another quarterback that, when you cover everything back there, he finds a lane in a pass rush lane and can take off," Spagnuolo said. "He did it last week. He's done it in every playoff game. He gets positive yards. That puts a lot of strain on us defensively. Thoroughly, thoroughly, thoroughly impressed with him."
Purdy's athleticism has also caught the eye of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.
"Yeah, he's a heck of a player," Reid said this week. "I remember specifically one of the Saturday afternoons watching him in college, the head coach said, 'This guy has changed our program.' Changing a program is big. That's what he is. He's doing that in the National Football League.
"Last week, he did as much with his legs as he did with his arm. He ran the ball well. He's a good football player. He's smart, and he's got a great feel for things."
Purdy used his legs in the Divisional Playoff round against the Green Bay Packers, running nine yards to set up the game-winning touchdown by running back Christian McCaffrey. In the NFC Championship Game against the Detroit Lions, Purdy rushed five times for 48 yards.
Purdy completed nearly 70 percent of his passes this season, throwing 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His 4,280 passing yards are the most in a single season in franchise history, and the young quarterback was named a finalist for the coveted NFL MVP award.