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Purdy or Kaepernick? Which QB does 49ers great Patrick Willis pick?
Feb 22, 2024 at 4:48 PM
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has proven himself an impressive and promising young player for the San Francisco 49ers. It's difficult to argue against that—although some continue to try. Purdy led the 49ers to the Super Bowl in his second NFL season and set a new single-season franchise record with 4,280 passing yards.
Throughout the season, 49ers great and soon-to-be Hall of Fame linebacker Patrick Willis has voiced his admiration for Purdy and the team's achievements. However, when faced with a choice between Purdy and Colin Kaepernick, Willis sided with his former teammate.
During a recent podcast appearance with Robert Griffin III, Willis was asked to choose between Kaepernick from 2012 and Purdy from 2023.
"I'm going to have to take Kap," declared Willis.
The former linebacker elaborated, "A lot of people can go back and [nitpick] towards what it looked like towards his last couple years and whatnot with the Niners, or his last year with the Niners. He did what he needed to do. It may not have been in a way that—in a traditional quarterback throwing way, but, man, him, you (Griffin), you guys were something electrifying."
Willis admitted it was a "tough decision," expressing his admiration for the 49ers' current young quarterback.
"I love them 1A and 1B," Willis added.
Kaepernick, who played six seasons in the NFL, notably led the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII after taking over from Alex Smith. Purdy assumed the role of the 49ers' starting quarterback in 2022 following injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo.
In August, Willis will finally be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
H/t to
Andrew Gould of The Spun for the find.
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