49ers fullback campaigns for Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey to win MVP

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested earlier this week that either San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy or running back Christian McCaffrey should win the Most Valuable Player Award for the 2023 regular season. 

49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk has now joined the chorus, actively campaigning for either of his teammates to claim the honor during a conversation with Tom Pelissero of NFL Network released on Thursday. 

"He's just had an incredible season," Juszczyk said about Purdy, per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. "...The guy's like damn near number one in almost every quarterback statistic."

Specifically, ESPN stats show that Purdy enters Week 15 leading the NFL among qualified players with a 74.7 adjusted QBR, a 116.9 passer rating, a 70.2% completion percentage and an average of 9.9 yards per pass attempt. The 23-year-old plays the sport's most high-profile position for what would be the NFC's No. 1 playoff seed if the postseason tournament began on Thursday night. 

49ers star offensive tackle Trent Williams recently blasted critics who still say Purdy is merely "a system quarterback." Juszczyk echoed Williams' take. 

"He's led the best offense in the NFL, and people love to [say], 'Oh, he's just surrounded by so many weapons,'" Juszczyk added about Purdy. "Well, the ball still needs to get snapped, put in his hands and he's got to make those plays. And he's done it week in, week out and I think he's done it at the best, highest level in the league this year. So that's why I think he deserves it."

Future Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski, meanwhile, has explained why he believes McCaffrey should be the first non-quarterback to win MVP since running back Adrian Peterson earned the award for the 2012 campaign. According to StatMuse, McCaffrey began Thursday leading the NFL with 1,614 total yards from scrimmage and 1,177 rushing yards on the season. He's second in the league with 17 offensive touchdowns.

"There's nothing that guy can't do," Juszczyk said about McCaffrey. "...I mean, you've seen, since he showed up last season, what he's done for this team, for this offense, and has put us in the position to currently being a one seed and at the top of the NFC, and that's been a very big part because of Christian McCaffrey."

Juszczyk was sure to note that "voters can't go wrong" choosing either Purdy or McCaffrey on their MVP ballots. As of late Thursday afternoon, oddschecker listed Purdy second among the betting favorites at +200 odds to win the award. McCaffrey was a distant underdog at +5000 odds. 

The 10-3 49ers next play at the 3-10 Arizona Cardinals this Sunday.