49ers QBs coach explains why Purdy's success isn't surprising

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

49ers QBs coach explains why team isn't surprised by Brock Purdy's success

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 12/31/22

Given his performance over his first three NFL starts, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy — the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft — has been anything but irrelevant.

Stepping in and guiding San Francisco to three straight wins after Jimmy Garoppolo went down with a broken foot, Purdy has showcased many of the intangible traits that led to the 49ers drafting him, according to quarterbacks coach Brian Griese.

“A lot of folks look at how big they are, how strong they are, how far they can throw it, how fast they are,” Griese said, via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. “And these things are important, don’t get me wrong. But I think accuracy is undervalued. I think leadership is undervalued. I know that we valued the fact that Brock was selfless. He was humble.”

Purdy good company 1️⃣3️⃣@brockpurdy13 | @kurt13warner pic.twitter.com/VJGcrOFZFO
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2022

Purdy has thrown for 636 yards, six touchdowns and just one interception over the last three games. He outdueled Tom Brady to win his first career start, and the 49ers offense is averaging 31 points and 385.3 yards of total offense per game with Purdy under center.

Purdy has hardly played like a rookie. He’s been sacked just four times and thrown one interception since taking over the starting job, and he has a passer rating of 114 or better in each outing.

“Going forward, how is he going to react when the moments get bigger and bigger and bigger?” Griese said. “Well, you have a track record. And I think he’s got the right mindset; he’s grounded. That’s why all the things we talked about in the evaluation of him outside of arm strength, speed and size really matter. When the moments get bigger and stress gets bigger, you need things that will ground you.”

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