3 things Brock Purdy has brought to the 49ers offense

The addition of Brock Purdy to the San Francisco 49ers offense has been one filled with excitement, not just for fans but for the players as well.

It seems that they are geared for a deep playoff run, let’s examine why.

Let’s face it, when your nickname is, “Mr. Irrelevant” people don’t expect much from you. So how do you erase the stigma? Especially when you know that you’re capable of so much more.

Being drafted at all, no matter the selection, is an honor, but for 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy it was a wake up call. Shortly after being picked dead last, the 49ers current starter did some reflecting. Then he immediately focused on how he could be better.

Fast forward to Week 18 of the regular season and Purdy is 4-0 as a starter, and only one game away from his first playoff appearance. Each week he continues to ascend by building on his success from the week before. Quite simply, he’s taken advantage of a golden opportunity and since then he hasn’t looked back.

For some, it’s still way too early to crown him the king of San Francisco, but don’t expect his intensity to subside anytime soon. He’s brought a winning culture to the the franchise, and a hope for something bigger than just a division title.

In five short weeks, he’s even got some fans chanting Super Bowl, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Instead, let’s examine why the 49ers are the team to beat.

Here’s 3 things Brock Purdy has brought to the San Francisco 49ers offense.

1. Brock Purdy has brought the 49ers offense Relevance

It’s irony at its finest and you certainly have to appreciate the semblance. But after the accolades he’s racked up in just five short weeks, the recognition is certainly well-deserved.

If Brock Purdy would’ve entered the game against the Miami Dolphins and suffered a loss, the headlines immediately following the game would’ve read, “Jimmy Garoppolo injured, San Francisco’s season lost.” But that’s not what happened.

Instead, the sports world reacted to the successful debut of a man who almost wasn’t drafted. A man who stepped in with nothing to lose, and saved the season of a team that could confidently win it all.

What can you say about Brock Purdy? He’s accurate, makes sound decisions and is comfortable in the pocket. He has all the makings of a leader, and so far, as a starter, he’s perfect.

Since taking over for an injured Jimmy Garoppolo, Brock Purdy has the highest passer rating in the NFL (112.7). In five appearances (four starts) Purdy is averaging 32 points-per-game compared to  Jimmy Garoppolo and an average of 23.6 points-per-game.

He leads all rookie quarterbacks in touchdowns and is second in yards and completion percentage. But most importantly, he stands out on a roster full of playmakers.

Not bad for a rookie who started the season irrelevant.

2. Brock Purdy has brought the 49ers offense efficiency

Without efficiency you can’t be elite. In fact over the years, as a 49ers fan, you’ve basked in the glory of players like Joe Montana and Steve Young. Both have won Super Bowl MVP and both are enshrined in Canton, Ohio.

Granted, it would be unfair to compare Purdy to the aforementioned two without having multiple seasons under his belt, but that doesn’t mean you can’t compare them statistically.

Montana and Young have thrown at least two touchdowns in five straight games twice in their career. In fact, when throwing to the likes of Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens it was probably expected by the fanbase. Brock Purdy has shared in the same success and he’s only five career appearances to do so.

Not ready to put them in the same conversation yet? What if we added a record that’s completely new to the franchise?

Following Week 16, after beating the Washington Commanders, Purdy joined Dan Marino as the only quarterback since 1950 to throw two touchdown passes and register a passer rating of at least 100 in each of his first three starts.

Despite the greatness of Montana and Young, Purdy stands alone as the only franchise member to accomplish that feat.

He’ll be in a class all his own if he can replicate that same success throughout the playoffs.

3. 49ers QB Brock Purdy has led to the resurgence of George Kittle

Prior to the creation of the “wide back” role, George Kittle was the go-to-guy. Over the years, he’s stayed productive, but lately it’s the opinion of many that he has disappeared completely from the 49ers offense.

However, over the last three weeks, that has not been the case. Since Brock Purdy has taken over at quarterback, George Kittle has been a man possessed. Over the last three regular season games, Kittle has found the endzone a total of five times. Pretty impressive for a man that has gone “quiet” as of late.

Together, Kittle and Brock Purdy have found the ultimate chemistry. When Purdy targets “The People’s Tight End” he’s boasting a passer rating of 156.8.

As dominant as Kittle has been in previous seasons it’s never really translated to the postseason. A true test of that new-found chemistry would be if Kittle carried his current momentum into the divisional round of the playoffs.

There’s no doubt that this high-powered offense will be firing on all cylinders when the regular season comes to a close, but a fired-up George Kittle in the playoffs certainly would make the 49ers unstoppable.

How the offseason will play out is anyone’s guess, but one thing is for certain, it’ll be Purdy’s team to lead and his starting job to lose. However, don’t look for him to give it up without a fight.