Purdy played well down the stretch, helping guide the 49ers to a playoff berth and knocking off the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round.
Even so, Purdy continues to face skepticism from some observers who believe his success is more a product of head coach Kyle Shanahan's system than elite quarterback play. Inside the 49ers' building, however, there is no such doubt.
Appearing recently on the St. Brown Podcast, hosted by Amon-Ra St. Brown and his brother Equanimeous St. Brown, All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner was asked what Purdy does well that often goes unnoticed.
"He does everything elite, in my opinion," Warner said. "I think, especially when he came back from his injury this year and he started to finally come into his own, and kind of get over a little bit of that foot, and get his mobility back, you really saw him come to life. And I think he played the best ball out of any quarterback in this league down the stretch.
"His ability to process and play the position, I think that's truly what separates the goods from the greats in this league at that position, is the ability to process, because there's so much going on in the mind of a quarterback from the pre-snap communication, pre-snap ID'ing the defense, making sure guys are lined up. And then, everything happening post-snap, of having to now dissect what the defense is doing to you, seeing and feeling the rush, and then having to deliver the ball perfectly to the spot.
"Or even having the ability to extend plays, Purdy does it with the best of them, and I'm happy he's on my team. He's definitely gonna get us a Bowl."
Warner's comments underscore the belief within the 49ers that Purdy isn't just thriving within Shanahan's system—he's elevating it. And the linebacker believes it's only a matter of time before he and Purdy are hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
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