Kyle Shanahan Praises ‘Unbelievable’ Brock Purdy for Fighting Through Pressures of Playing Quarterback

Despite their heartbreaking loss in this Super Bowl, Kyle Shanahan’s squad is gearing up for another exciting run in the upcoming season. The San Francisco 49ers head coach had some insights about their young quarterback, Brock Purdy, at the NFL Annual Meeting.

Since being drafted as the last pick in 2022, Purdy subverted all NFL gurus’ expectations and moved mountains to cement his name in the league. In his two-year run with the 49ers, “Mr. Irrelevant” successfully washed away the baggage of the label. When asked about Purdy’s journey with the team, Shanahan gave his insight about the role of quarterback in the NFL and how the former last pick proved himself to be worthy of it.

Kyle Shanahan feels Brock Purdy earned the QB position

Shanahan was asked if he believes that Purdy should be more celebrated, having played in the Super Bowl so early in his career. The HC highlighted the difficulties of the quarterback position in the NFL in response to Steve Wyche’s question. Pointing out how the spot is one of the most popular and well-paid, the head coach feels it’s justified considering the pressure a quarterback has to face.

“You know, there’s the pressure that is on those guys. That’s why it’s one of the most high-paid positions in the league, or definitely the most high-paid position, because they got to earn it, and they do earn it.”

Almost every quarterback selected before Brock Purdy and many after him in the last two seasons has been traded, demoted, and certainly hasn’t reached the Super Bowl. 49ers Coach Kyle Shanahan goes into that and more in our conversation from the NFL Annual Meeting. pic.twitter.com/AmGvaoKSx3

Having pointed out the arduousness of being a QB, Shanahan affirmed his belief in Purdy. He feels that the former last overall pick has worked hard and proved himself to be worthy of the position. The HC also commended Purdy for being consistent and making a comeback from his injury in his rookie year.

“But Brock’s done that these last two years. He’s been unbelievable,” said Shanahan. “He’s done a week in and a week out. He’s come back from a really tough injury in his first year, had a hell of a year this year.”

From being the third quarterback in line after Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo to being the starter in the Super Bowl, Purdy has certainly come a long way. He has already overtaken his contemporary, Kenny Pickett, who was way ahead of him in the Draft, being the 20th pick overall. The stats of the two have Pickett trailing with 4474 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions to Purdy’s 5654 yards, 44 TDs, and 15 interceptions. Moreover, this will be his first offseason with the team, and Shanahan cannot wait to start working his magic with him.

Shanahan “pumped” to coach Purdy in his first offseason

While Purdy has spent two years in San Francisco, he didn’t get the chance to spend his entire offseason practicing with the team. Shanahan explained his absence in the past seasons. While the QB was the “third-string” QB in 2022, it was an elbow injury that delayed his comeback in the last season.

With everything finally on track ahead of the upcoming season, Shanahan is excited to devote his efforts to Purdy. The HC is further looking forward to seeing the young quarterback evolve after an entire offseason of proper training.

“So he’s going to come back a full man and be healthy and ready to attack this off-season, and I’m pumped to coach him.”

No one is familiar with facing the heat like the 49ers’ head coach. The team, and especially his decision to take the ball during off time, was highly critiqued after their defeat in the Super Bowl. The stakes are sky high ahead of the coming season, and Shanahan is determined to hone Brock Purdy to become the best version of himself.

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