Robert Griffin III, Michael Vick dish out rebuttal of Brock Purdy being 'game manager'

While Cam Newton seems to think Brock Purdy and others are 'game managers,' other former QBs like Robert Griffin III and Michael Vick firmly disagree.

Earlier this month, former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton made plenty of waves when he referred to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, among others, as a "game manager" despite the fact Purdy is either at or near the very top of almost every significant passing category for 2023.

And also in light of Purdy being an odds-on favorite to win NFL MVP this year.

Newton singled out a handful of what he called "game changers," yet Purdy was clearly not among his choices for that accolade.

And while Newton, an NFL MVP himself from 2015, is qualified to speak on the matter and has the means to support his position, the argument also created a debate among others who are also plenty qualified to speak on the subject.

Including two other star quarterbacks, Robert Griffin III and Michael Vick.

Brock Purdy is a 'game changer,' according to RGIII and Michael Vick

Speaking on his video podcast, RGIII and The Ones, Griffin and Vick had a lengthy discussion about what it means to be a game manager versus a game changer.

Certainly, Vick was viewed as perhaps one of the NFL's biggest game changers during his heyday years of the early 2000s, whereas Griffin was the Offensive Rookie of the Year back in his first season, 2012.

When Griffin asked Vick whether or not he thought Purdy was a game manager, Vick had a blunt response, "no."

"I've seen Brock Purdy maneuver the pocket and make some plays on the run," Vick continued. "Pull it down, 3rd-and-6, 3rd-and-7 and make a play. That's not game managing, that's changing."

While Purdy isn't known as a major running threat, he does have an underrated mobility to him that not only allows him to evade pressure but also to scramble and pick up necessary yards in key situations.

He has taken off 37 times for 138 yards, 13 first downs and two rushing touchdowns, for what it's worth.

Griffin also agreed with Vick by saying, "I think he is a game changer."

Jimmy Garoppolo catches some strays from Brock Purdy convo

Yes, it might be tough being now-Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who couldn't escape the discussion between RGIII and Vick when comparing the former to Purdy.

"The difference between, say the 2019 49ers, who were doing similar things to what this 49ers team is doing, it is Brock Purdy," Griffin continued. "Because Jimmy was a game manager. He was going to get it to where it was supposed to be. But if it wasn't there, it is what it is, the play is over."

Hard to argue against that. For those who extensively watched both Garoppolo and Purdy play, noting the differences between the two quarterbacks should lead one to agree with RGIII's sentiments.

Perhaps Newton should pay attention, too.

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