49ers' Kyle Shanahan praises Brock Purdy's improved instincts

The San Francisco 49ers offensive line hasn't allowed quarterback Brock Purdy to be sacked this season. While that streak is unlikely to continue through the end of the year, the unit would love to keep pressure away from Purdy on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Purdy has played exceptionally well this season, and he owes much of his success to the offensive line. However, he's also done an excellent job of avoiding pressure in key moments, buying time to find his targets downfield or taking matters into his own hands by running.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters Wednesday and was asked why Purdy appears to have taken his decision-making under pressure to another level this season.

Shanahan believes Purdy has found a healthy balance between knowing when to throw and when to use his legs to extend a play.

"I think it's more instinct," Shanahan said. "I think Brock has a really good natural instinct on running and making plays. I mean, he did a lot in college, and I just think the goal for a quarterback is the balance of when to and when not to.

"It's hard to be a good quarterback if anytime something flashes, you just run. It can close up pretty quick. There's certain times you've got to hang in there and really let something develop and take a hit as you throw. And there's times you've got to give up on something and make the play.

"There isn't really a consistent coaching answer to it. Guys just got to have a feel for it, and he's proven that he's had a real good feel for it."

Purdy has completed 69.9 percent of his passes for 1,007 yards, 11 touchdowns, one interception, and an NFL-leading 126.2 passer rating. He's also added 20 carries for 122 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

"He already makes a lot of plays within the pocket, on his feet, just kind of opening windows and viewing angles for himself," center Jake Brendel said this week. "He just kind of extends those things a little bit wider when the protection kind of breaks down, maybe by one or two blockers.

"He really can extend the play, double the amount of seconds—like five to 10 seconds—which, obviously, opens a lot of routes downfield."

The 49ers hope to exit Week 5 still undefeated and atop the NFC West. Keeping pressure away from Purdy, along with the quarterback's ability to extend plays when protection breaks down, could be key to a successful Sunday afternoon.