The San Francisco 49ers are determined to prove that their disappointing 2024 campaign—when they finished 6-11—was nothing more than an outlier. Quarterback Brock Purdy saw his production dip last year, throwing for 3,864 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions after a breakout 2023 season in which he posted 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just 11 picks.
While those numbers were far from disastrous, the 49ers are counting on Purdy to regain his 2023 form in 2025, especially after moving on from several veteran contributors to make room for the long-term impact of his five-year, $265 million contract extension—the largest deal in franchise history.
On Tuesday, 49ers legend Joe Montana appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and expressed confidence that Purdy will bounce back.
"I really like him," Montana said. "He usually doesn't make a lot of mistakes, and he's careful with the football. He's got great placement of it ... I just think he's got the right demeanor, and everybody has those kinds of years. I had them. You can go and look around at anybody—Brady, everybody—when injuries start taking place, your whole team changes.
"And then, the quarterback seems sometimes that it all rides on their back, they sometimes believe. And so, they start doing things they wouldn't normally do. But I think he'll be fine."
The 49ers entered last season fresh off a Super Bowl appearance, but mounting injuries quickly derailed their campaign. Purdy later admitted that he felt the pressure to carry the team, sometimes straying from what made him successful in the past.
"I felt this pressure on myself that I need to be this Superman-type guy, and go out and make plays off schedule," Purdy told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer last month. "There were some moments when I was like, Dude, you've got to go back to the basics. It doesn't matter who's out there. The way Kyle calls plays, you run it right, just like your rookie year, and it works. Stick to that and be consistent. Don't go searching because Christian [McCaffrey] is out of this game, and you think you have to go replace him."
McCaffrey, who missed all but four games in 2024 due to injuries, was a significant loss for the offense. His return in 2025 could be the difference between another lost year and a deep playoff run.
Montana agrees.
"They definitely have the team to be able to go in and compete with anybody," Montana said. "Obviously, Christian coming back is a huge plus for that offense. It takes a lot of pressure off the quarterback. And I think he got a little—feeling the pressure—where he felt like he had to do and contribute more instead of just going and doing what he's done for his whole life, and just be yourself.
"And we always have that tendency that we want to make the change and make it quick, and now we've got to make something happen. I think he just got caught up in that, and I think you'll see a different player coming up this year."
With a healthier roster, the 49ers are optimistic that Purdy can lead them back into championship contention in 2025.