San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

49ers' George Kittle campaigns for Brock Purdy to win Rookie of the Year honors

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 1/9/23

San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle believes quarterback Brock Purdy should be in the conversation regarding the season's Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

"He hasn't lost," Kittle said of Purdy following Sunday's 38-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals, per Kirk Larrabee of 49ers WebZone. "He's put up great numbers. He doesn't have very many turnovers. He has touchdowns. He has passing yards. And he's on a hot streak. So I think Brock should 100 percent be in that conversation.

"I know other guys played the entire season, but for a rookie quarterback to come in play the way that he has, that's pretty special, and I don't really know anyone else who has played at a level he's played at."

Purdy, the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, was summoned to save San Francisco's season after Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a broken foot back on Dec. 4.

The 23-year-old has been a revelation, as he enters the playoffs with a perfect 5-0 record as a starter, and ESPN stats show his 65.6 total QBR would be good for fifth among qualified players. ESPN also noted that Purdy made some history in Sunday's blowout victory:

Brock Purdy is the third QB since the start of 1950 with multiple pass TD in each of his first five NFL starts, joining Dan Marino and Billy Volek. pic.twitter.com/1OLkVeUwK2
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 8, 2023

In total, Purdy has thus far completed 114-of-170 pass attempts (67.1%) for 1,374 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions. He helped the 13-4 Niners win the NFC West title and secure a home wild-card playoff game against the 9-8 Seattle Seahawks this coming Saturday.

Of course, somebody who made five starts and appeared in just nine games isn't winning an individual award over a player who contributed throughout the season. Ahead of Week 18, OddsChecker's Ryan Kirksey didn't mention Purdy among likely ROTY candidates. For a piece published Monday morning, ESPN's Bill Barnwell listed Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier, New York Jets receiver Garrett Wilson, and Chris Olave of the New Orleans Saints as his favorites to win the award.

Purdy instead will attempt to get his hands on a different trophy, one he could touch by guiding the 49ers to Super Bowl LVII in February.

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