“As Much as Patrick Mahomes Does,” Despite Elevating Brock Purdy Into MVP Discussion, Shannon Sharpe Questions His Standalone QB Prowess

Shannon Sharpe is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the NFL. After spending 14 seasons in his beloved arena, the tight end has three Super Bowl rings. The Hall of Famer played alongside some celebrated quarterbacks in his day. Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway headlined that list. While he holds some of the current list of quarterbacks in high esteem, Sharpe believes not all of them are elite.

In particular, Shannon Sharpe singled out San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Purdy has nine touchdowns from five games and his team is yet to taste a loss this NFL season. They will take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Recently, Sharpe reckoned Purdy has quietly thrown his hat into the ring for the MVP award. Though his numbers are far removed from those of Tua Tagovailoa and Patrick Mahomes, Sharpe believes Purdy is doing his job.

Purdy is a “product of the system”, per Shannon Sharpe

On ESPN’s First Take, Shannon Sharpe was asked whether Purdy was indeed an elite quarterback or if it was just his present situation. He opined Brock Purdy was just a product of the system built around him. Sharpe noted he was not looking to take anything away from his performances. According to Shannon Sharpe, while part of the reckoning to be named MVP, Purdy was not an elite quarterback like Mahomes or Tua.

As Sharpe put it, “It’s okay for him to be in the MVP discussion and not be Patrick Mahomes or not be Tua or not be an elite quarterback. He still has to go out there and operate. He just doesn’t have to do as much as, say, those other guys. If I were to put him with Patrick Mahomes, if I switch places and say, okay you got to do as much as Patrick Mahomes does, or you got to do what these other quarterbacks [do], I’m not so sure Brock Purdy could do that.” Shannon Sharpe also pointed out all Purdy has to do is avoid turnovers and let his teammates do the work.

Brock Purdy cannot do the same in another team

Sharpe posited most of the credit for Purdy’s exploits ought to go to head coach Kyle Shanahan. He then listed Purdy’s influential teammates, such as Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk. According to Shannon Sharpe, they were essential pieces to the puzzle that are the 49ers. He attempted to illustrate the same with a biblical reference.

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Shannon Sharpe said, “In biblical terms, the devil told God that Job, the reason why he serves you is because you give everything to him. He said if you remove what he has from around him, he will curse his very maker. You could take everything but his life. So, G took all that. And Job still was faithful. I’m not so sure if we remove Deebo, if we remove Kyle Shanahan, if we remove Aiyuk, then we’ll see this Brock Purdy.” He thought Purdy would not be the same player sans the teammates with whom he was currently blessed.

In Shannon Sharpe’s estimation, Brock Purdy is a candidate for MVP come the season’s end. Simultaneously, Sharpe claimed Purdy did not have to do as much as elite quarterbacks like Tua or Patrick Mahomes. He noted they could function independently of the system. That, however, looked impossible for Purdy, according to Sharpe. Shannon Sharpe noted more credit must go to those around Purdy for his numbers. All that remains is to see whether Purdy can continue his rise in Sharpe’s eyes.

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