CBS Sports joins ranks of Brock Purdy doubters with latest unfounded claim

CBS Sports is predicting that Brock Purdy undergoes a notable regression in 2024 after being in the running for NFL MVP a season ago.

Breaking: Major sports outlet dishes out a take on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, stating that he's carried by his offense and lacks the true talent needed to be considered one of the NFL's elite.

The narrative is getting old.

Despite oh-so much evidence painting Purdy as a legit quarterback, the final pick from the 2022 NFL Draft might have to repeat his 2023 efforts three or four more times before finally commanding the respect he deserves.

Purdy, who set multiple records in his first full year as a starter last season, was in the running for league MVP and retains his entire supporting cast from 2023, too.

That said, there are those who feel he'll fall back to earth in 2024.

CBS Sports fuels Brock Purdy doubt, says 49ers QB will regress in 2024

In fairness to CBS Sports' Garrett Podell, who looked at the bulk of starting quarterbacks for the upcoming season and predicted which ones will improve or regress, he admitted it would be awfully difficult for Purdy to match or exceed the exceptional numbers posted over the course of 2023.

After all, setting a franchise record for passing yards (4,280) while leading the NFL in yards per attempt (9.6), touchdown percentage (7.0) and passer rating (113.0) isn't something that'd typically happen on a yearly basis. It's natural to assume Purdy won't sustain a record-setting pace.

But it's the latter portion of Podell's assessment that should irk Niners fans:

"All of the aforementioned all-star talent surrounding Purdy put together a collectively healthy season. Between the entire league now having a full season of tape on him as San Francisco's starting quarterback and a possible health regression by his supporting cast, Purdy will naturally take a step back from a production standpoint in 2024. "

Injuries are always a risk, yes. But San Francisco arguably got stronger on offense by adding a wide receiver in Round 1 of this year's draft, Ricky Pearsall. And, despite the ongoing standoff with fellow wideout Brandon Aiyuk amid a contract dispute, the 49ers have a lethal receiving corps while balancing the offense with the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey.

Unless that offense loses multiple players to elongated injuries, it's hard to say Purdy will be seriously impacted.

What Podell failed to take into account, too, is how 2024 marks the first time in Purdy's pro career where he's had a full offseason cemented in as the Niners' starter.

A year ago, Purdy was still recovering from the elbow injury suffered in the 2023 NFC Championship game and the subsequent surgery, which prevented him from participating in both organized team activities and mandatory minicamp.

Purdy was able to partake in both this offseason and won't have any injury concerns leading up to training camp. That matters.

Also, make of it what you will, Purdy was the first "to regress" quarterback Podell mentioned in his list, which might simply be a ploy to call out someone who already receives plenty of doubt from around the league, thereby cashing in on that attention.

While it'll understandably be tough for Purdy to replicate or exceed MVP-like numbers again in 2024, claiming an all-out regression is a bit much, given the context and the quarterback's own demonstrated talents.

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