Colin Cowherd insists he doesn't dislike Brock Purdy. He simply doesn't envision the San Francisco 49ers quarterback evolving into an elite NFL player. Purdy has achieved significant milestones in his only second NFL season. His 4,280 passing yards set a new single-season franchise record, a remarkable feat considering the illustrious quarterbacks who have donned red and gold.
Addressing reporters this week, Purdy discussed the journey to earn the respect of his coaches and teammates.
"Over time, I've been able to step into that role and be ready for my opportunity," Purdy said. "At the same time, I have a lot of help around me, and it's allowed me to develop, and I'm going to continue to develop with the help and the cast I have around me."
No one inside the 49ers locker room believes they would be preparing to play in Super Bowl 58 without Purdy at the helm of the offense. Come Sunday night, the 24-year-old may cement his place as the second-youngest quarterback to raise the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Purdy added, "There's a lot more room for me to grow."
However, Cowherd doesn't believe that.
"He's not 6-5, 225, with a power arm like [Chargers QB] Justin Herbert just waiting to finally get a legitimate coach," Cowherd remarked on his FS1 show. "He's not a crazy-armed talent like [Chiefs QB Patrick] Mahomes, who just needs to watch more film and refine his game. He's not [Bills QB] Josh Allen, this wild, untamed quarterback out of Wyoming that just needed the right offensive coordinator. That's not what he is.
"He's Brock Purdy—a little small, hand size, not ideal, moves a little. But his college NFL scouting preview is exactly what he is today. He had a bunch of starts in college, so you kind of know what he is."
"He reminds me of a less talented Bo Nix... You'll know very quickly what he is."
— @ColinCowherd discusses Brock Purdy's ceiling pic.twitter.com/z2clf8vNuC
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) February 8, 2024
In a somewhat perplexing comparison, Cowherd likened Purdy to a less-talented version of Bo Nix, the Oregon quarterback yet to enter the NFL. While acknowledging Purdy's intelligence and accuracy, Cowherd pointed out his limitations in size and arm strength.
"Brock Purdy is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get quarterback," Cowherd adds. "... We had all the tape. We didn't think he was big enough. Still, probably not [big enough] to carry a franchise. But [he's] smart enough, accurate enough, hardworking enough, and moves well enough to be an additive to a great roster."
Cowherd's assessment underscores that while Purdy's contributions are commendable, his success in San Francisco can be attributed to superior coaching and the talent surrounding him compared to his college years at Iowa State.
"He really, really, really wins a lot with better players and a better coach," Cowherd concludes. "That is not a knock. It is the reality of what he is. ... He was underappreciated and undervalued by NFL people, but don't expect a massive arc of growth over the next several years. If anything, it'll be incremental."