Packers will face a different version of 49ers QB Brock Purdy at Lambeau Field
The Green Bay Packers have already faced quarterback Brock Purdy. After all, the team saw him in the playoffs last season — some big plays, some lucky breaks after turnover-worthy plays. But the version of the San Francisco 49ers quarterback that the Packers will see on Sunday at Lambeau Field is simply not the same. […]
The Green Bay Packers have already faced quarterback Brock Purdy. After all, the team saw him in the playoffs last season — some big plays, some lucky breaks after turnover-worthy plays. But the version of the San Francisco 49ers quarterback that the Packers will see on Sunday at Lambeau Field is simply not the same.
Be it for the injuries among "The Avengers" throughout the season or for pure development from a player who is still young, this has been a significantly modified version of Purdy. For the Packers, it brings a particular type of challenge on Sunday. For the 49ers, it brings a long-term challenge.
New Purdy
This year, Brock Purdy has arguably played the best football of his life, even with constant injury absences among some of the best offensive weapons he has — running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle missed time due to injuries, and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Those circumstances forced Purdy to adjust his style, and it has been a real transformation. He became one of the most effective and frequent scramblers in the NFL, which helps considering the 49ers have a somewhat questionable offensive line beyond left tackle Trent Williams.
Among quarterbacks with at least 50 plays this season, only Malik Willis, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye have a higher scramble rate. Yes, he has a higher scramble rate than players like Justin Fields, Jalen Hurts, and Lamar Jackson.
And Purdy has been really good at it too. He is fourth in PFF run grade (only behind Josh Allen, Drake Maye, Jalen Hurts) and sixth in total rush EPA (Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and Patrick Mahomes).
After a week in which the Packers gave up 70 rushing yards for Caleb Williams, this feels particularly impactful.
As a passer
Brock Purdy has always been a solid thrower in the NFL, despite the lack of a very strong arm. In terms of style, there has been a difference this season as well.
Purdy is chasing big plays down the field, and his willingness to create outside of structure (both to throw outside of the pocket and to run) generates some specific challenges and opportunities for the Packers.
Purdy has the third-slowest time to throw in the NFL (3.12), only ahead of Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson. He is holding the ball a lot. At the same time, his average depth of target is 9.3, way up from 7.0 in 2022 and 8.6 last season. Only Anthony Richardson, Jameis Winston, Trevor Lawrence, and Sam Darnold have had higher ADoTs. Purdy is right ahead of Jordan Love in this metric.
Curiously, the number of big-time throws is down, according to PFF. His rate of huge passes is 4.3, down from 5.8 last season. On a positive note for the 49ers, Purdy has been much better taking care of the football — which is hard with this type of aggressiveness. His turnover-worthy play rate is 2.6%, down from 3.4% in 2023. It's the opposite trend of Jordan Love, who had a 2.6% turnover-worthy play rate in 2023, and has a 3.7% this season.
Opportunities
Even though the 49ers have the sixth best offensive line in pass block win rate according to ESPN, getting to the quarterback hasn't been as hard as that number would indicate. And that happens because, at the same time that Purdy is creative, he's had a trend to create his own problems.
In 2024, Brock Purdy has been credited by PFF as responsible for 23.1% of his pressures, the fifth-worst rate among 58 quarterbacks who stepped into a football field this season — it's only better than Michael Penix, Malik Willis, Bo Nix, and Patrick Mahomes.
The offensive linemen are pretty even, but the worst piece is right tackle Colton McKivitz, being responsible for 22.2% of the pressures.
Pressure responsibility for the 49ers:
- LT: 16.7%
- LG: 18.5%
- C: 14.8%
- RG: 15.7
- RT: 22.2%
- ITE: 1.9%
- QB: 23.1%
- Others: 5.6%
Brock Purdy has proven himself as a really good quarterback, even though the 49ers' record doesn't indicate a development from the most valuable position.
It will be hard for Jeff Hafley to limit him on Sunday, because Green Bay's defensive front has had serious issues to apply pressure and contain the edge — especially when they try to do both at the same time.
For the 49ers, the good performance and the mediocre team results are an issue. If Brock Purdy is playing as well as he ever had and the team hasn't, how impactful is he? Is he Worth the type of extension he will probably get next offseason? How will it affect the team's roster-building over the next few years?
Those are all fair questions. But the Packers only care about this week, and it won't be a simple task to limit a quarterback who has performed at an impressive level, despite his physical limitations.
Breaking down how the Packers handled key position after big trade deadline move
Brenton Cox benefited from his new opportunities
