Brock Purdy failed to do what only two quarterbacks have done before in the NFL playoffs — lead his team to victory over Patrick Mahomes' Chiefs. However, to call the performance of the 49ers' second-year QB a "failure" would just add to all the bad hot takes about Purdy that dominated the end of his 2023 regular season.
OK, Purdy couldn't join Tom Brady and Joe Burrow in beating Mahomes head-to-head on a big stage, but as the 49ers suffered the Super Bowl version of a technical knockout in a 25-22 overtime loss, Purdy earned a lot of respect for counterpunching through the end.
Here's taking a look at the stats Purdy put up as well, as the fight he showed to make the 49ers more confident that they've found their long-term franchise quarterback.
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Brock Purdy's Super Bowl 58 stats
The Chiefs did a great job of taking away the downfield shots that Purdy often executes well with his big arm. That's not a shock given their pass-rushing strength and ace cornerback coverage. Even though "game manager" was hurled as an insult toward Purdy all year, he responded by doing the necessary managing of the game to keep the 49ers in the hunt for what amounted to five quarters.
Purdy didn't force the ball into coverage and didn't hold the ball long enough to succumb to the Chiefs' pass rush. He was sacked only once and avoided throwing an interception. He did miss a few throws, as he did earlier in the NFC playoffs, but he spread the ball around well to multiple targets despite downfield strikes to wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle not being there. The longest completion in the game didn't come until overtime, when running back Christian McCaffrey exploded for a 24-yard burst off a short catch.
Purdy went 23-of-38 for 255 passing yards and a TD strike to wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who threw a scoring pass of his own to McCaffrey for the 49ers' first TD. Purdy averaged 6.7 yards per attempt by throwing short — often to McCaffrey — was the right game plan to try to beat the Chiefs. Purdy rated a solid 89.3 vs. a tough defense. He also rushed three times for 12 yards.
Before knocking Purdy for those numbers, let's remember that the Chiefs' defense rendered top QBs Tua Tagovailoa, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson highly inefficient as passers in their three playoff wins leading into Super Bowl 58. Purdy also played fine despite not getting much from banged-up TE George Kittle (two catches, four yards) and a banged-up WR Deebo Samuel (three catches, 33 yards).
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Kyle Shanahan's post-game press conference quotes about Brock Purdy
While there will be more shade thrown on Purdy by the cynics who, for some reason, hate his feel-good story from Mr. Irrelevant to Super Bowl runner-up QB, the 49ers heaped the most important praise on Purdy after the game.
“I’m so proud of Brock, how he shows up every week, how he plays," 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game. "He had an unbelievable year and did a hell of a job today.”
Purdy did have a great year. He was an MVP candidate for most of the year until Jackson pulled away at the end. He led the league in yards per attempt (9.6), adjusted yards per attempt (9.9), passer rating (113.0), ESPN QBR (72.7), net yards per attempt (8.74), and adjusted net yards per attempt (9.01). By every metric, he was one of the league's best deep-ball passers.
MORE CHIEFS SUPER BOWL COVERAGE
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Purdy also had a ton of pressure trying to keep up with Mahomes in one game. He had an answer for everything Mahomes and the Chiefs' did in trying to finish off a consistent comeback. The 49ers just didn't score a TD on their only OT possession; the Chiefs did. One will never know what Purdy and the 49ers would have done had they had the second possession.
While Mahomes won his third Super Bowl and third Super Bowl MVP, Purdy won some more respect for his gritty and pretty passing alike. It's more than enough for the 49ers to know that they can win the Super Bowl with him sometime in the near future after they almost just did. There's a good chance Purdy will get another shot thanks to his talented team, affordable contract, and, oh yeah, his great play.
