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Brock Purdy 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.
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.
Does 49ers QB Brock Purdy need Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel for success?
By David Bonilla
May 15
Rumors circulated before and during the 2024 NFL Draft about the possibility of the San Francisco 49ers losing one of their top two wide receivers—Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel. Such a scenario could have significantly impacted the team's success in the upcoming season and posed a potential blow for quarterback Brock Purdy, who has thrived alongside the dynamic duo on the field.
However, none of these speculations came to fruition. Both Aiyuk and Samuel remain on the roster, at least for another season, though their future beyond that remains uncertain.
Aiyuk is seeking a contract extension that would position him among the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL. At the same time, Samuel already commands a significant salary following a deal rework in 2022.
AFC GM hoped to draft 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall: "It was a great pick"
By David Bonilla
May 9
The San Francisco 49ers' selection of wide receiver Ricky Pearsall with the No. 31 overall pick in the draft surprised many, with several analysts labeling it as a reach. However, one AFC general manager described the pick as "great."
Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta had hoped to select Pearsall and was disappointed to see the former Florida wide receiver chosen at the end of the first round. While he admits to being surprised by Pearsall's early selection, he thought the Ravens might have a chance at him later.
"It was a great pick. I give those guys a lot of credit," DeCosta said of the 49ers' selection,
49ers great shares strong message on Brock Purdy, Brandon Aiyuk
By David Bonilla
May 8
San Francisco 49ers great John Taylor didn't mince words on Monday night while discussing quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The former NFL wide receiver, who was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame, took issue with those who downplay Purdy's accomplishments. Some attribute the quarterback's success to head coach Kyle Shanahan's system and a talented supporting cast.
"A lot of people didn't want to give Brock Purdy his just due," Taylor said, per Cam Inman of The Mercury News. "'Oh, he's got this, he's got that. If he didn't have the group that he had, he wouldn't be the quarterback that he
Alex Smith identifies similarity between 49ers QB Brock Purdy and Patrick Mahomes
By David Bonilla
May 10
Former NFL quarterback Alex Smith, who spent his first eight seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, joined Bay Area radio station KNBR on Friday morning and was asked about the team's current signal-caller, Brock Purdy.
Smith also spent five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. During his last season there, he helped mentor a young quarterback by the name of Patrick Mahomes, who went on to win three Super Bowls.
While Mahomes is widely seen as the best quarterback in the NFL, Smith does see at least one similarity between Purdy and the Chiefs' star.
"Both these guys are football players," Smith said on the "Murph and Markus" show. "These guys are just tough, do whatever it takes to win. They love the moment. That's what's so rare, certainly about Pat,
