Cowboys legend on 49ers QB: “I’m a big fan of Brock Purdy”

Troy Aikman has never hesitated to praise San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. The Dallas Cowboys legend remains puzzled by much of the criticism surrounding Purdy, as some prefer to credit the playmakers around him or head coach Kyle Shanahan's offensive system for his success rather than acknowledging the quarterback's talent.

Speaking to Kevin Clark on the "This Is Football" podcast this week, Aikman shared his theory on why some are so reluctant to give Purdy the credit he deserves.

"I'm a big fan of Brock Purdy's, and if he had been a first-round pick, we'd all be talking about what an amazing player he is," Aikman said. "But because he was the last player taken in the seventh round, he's had an uphill climb in terms of being appreciated for his abilities as opposed to just being a product of the offense."

Aikman explained that many analysts focus too much on players' physical attributes, which is likely why Purdy was repeatedly passed over by so many teams—including the 49ers themselves—until the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. Despite being "Mr. Irrelevant," Purdy has quickly emerged as one of the NFL's rising stars.

Aikman emphasized that Purdy has demonstrated sound decision-making and accuracy on the field.

"For the most part, he makes really good decisions," Aikman commented. "He's accurate with the football, and then he leaves it up to the playmakers to create separation to get themselves open, and then he delivers the football.

"I think he's playing the position at a really high level. I don't care where he was drafted. I don't care what people say about him. I think he's a terrific player."

Purdy is coming off an impressive 2023 campaign, during which he passed for 4,280 yards, setting a single-season franchise record. This season, he's looking to build on that success and help the 49ers achieve their ultimate goal—winning a championship.