'He's going to be fine' – Joe Montana optimistic on Brock Purdy but identifies key area where 49ers quarterback can improve
Brock Purdy was unable to match the heights of his spectacular 2023 season in 2024 as inconsistency and injury issues saw the San Francisco 49ers endure a difficult campaign. The letdown year after going within one play of winning Super Bowl 58 the year before was obviously extremely disappointing for the Niners and for Purdy, […]
Brock Purdy was unable to match the heights of his spectacular 2023 season in 2024 as inconsistency and injury issues saw the San Francisco 49ers endure a difficult campaign.
The letdown year after going within one play of winning Super Bowl 58 the year before was obviously extremely disappointing for the Niners and for Purdy, whose performances dropped off, especially in the latter part of the year, amid injuries to several members of his supporting cast.
Purdy, who missed two games himself, still threw for 3,864 yards in his 15 games, but his touchdowns dropped from 31 to 20 while he threw 12 interceptions and fumbled seven times in a markedly less efficient year than a 2023 season that almost resulted in him winning MVP.
But 49ers Hall of Famer Joe Montana, winner of four Super Bowls with San Francisco, is confident in Purdy's ability to bounce back, though he did identify a key issue that the signal-caller needs to correct.
"He's going to be fine," Montana told The San Francisco Chronicle.
"He makes great decisions. Someone probably needs to talk to him and settle him down. When you start forcing things, it's hard.
"It seemed like Brock was feeling pressure to make plays because of the injuries. It's hard to see everything on TV, but sometimes I didn't even see receivers in the picture. To me, that's forcing it."
Purdy's play early in the season certainly reflected that of a player feeling the pressure to do it all himself, as he was often guilty of holding the ball and scrambling for prolonged periods in a bid to make something happen.
His second-reaction ability is a significant strength for the 49ers, but it also increases the scope for negative plays. With the likes of Christian McCaffrey and hopefully Brandon Aiyuk set to return in 2025, Purdy should be in a better position to take the strain off himself and vindicate Montana's optimism.
49ers’ key Senior Bowl takeaway: Practices reaffirmed a reason for confidence of 2025 rebound, if they make the right decisions
It creates hope, and inspires pressure.
