The San Francisco 49ers find themselves in Super Bowl 58, largely thanks to Brock Purdy. While some may argue against this, labeling the quarterback as merely a "game manager" benefitting from a talented supporting cast, those who have closely followed the second-year player throughout the season recognize that amassing a single-season franchise record of 4,280 passing yards requires considerable skill and talent.
Purdy, an MVP finalist, has his 49ers on the brink of their sixth championship. Despite the media frenzy surrounding Super Bowl 58, the young player remains unfazed. It's a trait his head coach has noticed in Purdy both on and off the field.
"That's, I think, the most special thing about Brock," Kyle Shanahan told reporters Tuesday at the team's hotel, the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa. "He doesn't have to change much because that's really who he is. I mean, Brock is as humble of a person as I've ever been around. I talk about him having just a strong foundation on who he is, and it's rare. I think people have that coming out of high school. I bet he had it, just looking at what he did in college and how people speak of him.
"I know when he came to the league, you could see it on him right away. You've seen it through everything. I mean, the third-string quarterback, the starting quarterback, what he's done this year, he's still the same guy as he was the first day. And you can ask him, I think it has a lot to do with his faith, how he leads his life, but it carries in everything he does."
Some observers have noticed Shanahan's increased aggressiveness in his play calling with Purdy helming the offense. The coach seems more willing to display greater boldness in his game plans, trusting his young quarterback's ability to handle pressure.
Shanahan was asked if his 24-year-old quarterback has elevated his play calling since taking over the starting job.
"Your ebb and flow with how you call plays changes with your players, of course with the quarterback, but also with everyone else," Shanahan responded. "I mean, the O-line is a factor, the eligibles you're trying to get the ball to, how the defense is playing. Everything affects your play calling, and I've been fortunate enough to be able to call plays for a long time and been in a lot of different situations.
"But having Brock, it's been a lot of fun. You could feel it last year. Just each game, I got more comfortable with him, seeing what he could do and how aggressive he is. And sometimes guys are aggressive, you get a little too aggressive, and then all of a sudden, you get them in trouble, and you've got to pull it back. But Brock's been pretty impressive with that stuff.
"Usually, when it's not there, he makes the right decision as consistently as anyone I've been around, and he's been real fun to call plays for."
On Sunday, the 49ers will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58.
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