49ers' Brock Purdy responds to Steve Young's scrambling advice

Hall of Fame quarterback and San Francisco 49ers legend Steve Young has been a strong supporter of Brock Purdy, praising him as one of the NFL's best "processors" at the position. However, Young has long believed that adding more mobility to Purdy's game could elevate him to another level.

"That wholesale game, we need to extend on it because, in the biggest games, it will be the difference," Young said last season.

Young even suggested that head coach Kyle Shanahan incorporate more RPOs (run-pass options) to take advantage of Purdy's underrated athleticism.

"We should put him on the run out of the huddle where he's going to carry it," Young added. "The threat that he needs to bring—look, we understand the processing power, but that's the game today."

While Young encourages Purdy to scramble and extend plays, much like Young did during his Hall of Fame career, the 49ers quarterback doesn't feel a need to actively hunt for rushing opportunities.

"Obviously, my job is to play quarterback, and I gotta be a point guard and dish it to the guys that are open, and that's my main job and focus," Purdy said Thursday morning on Bay Area radio station KNBR. "But it's a game. It's not going to be perfect. The pocket's going to break down every once in a while. You've got to be able to move with your legs and move the chains, or create an off-schedule play and throw the ball later.

"Those are all things that are real, and I totally get what Steve's saying, but for me to go out and just search for opportunities to run—no. I really do think that I still have to play within the system, and what we've done here has worked."

That doesn't mean Purdy won't run when the moment calls for it, especially in high-pressure situations. He showcased his mobility during the NFC Championship Game following the 2023 season, rushing for 48 yards on five carries to help the 49ers rally against the Detroit Lions.

"But when there are opportunities, NFC Championship Game and stuff, all right, let's let's use the legs and create more stress on the defense," Purdy added.