San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Former 49ers QB praises Brock Purdy for response to 2023 struggles

During a Thursday appearance on San Francisco sports radio station KNBR, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia praised current Niners starter Brock Purdy for the way he "snapped out of" a funk following a three-game losing streak this past season. 

"Got back to doing what he does best and making plays, making smart decisions, giving his weapons an opportunity to make plays, to catch the ball, to run with the ball, escaping the pocket, lengthening the play when needed, and making some unbelievable plays," Garcia said about Purdy's response to that skid, as shared by David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. "I mean, enough big-time plays to help lead that team to the Super Bowl and damn near win it."

The final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy won his first seven starts as a rookie (playoffs included) and then notched five straight victories to open the 2023 campaign before he tossed a total of five interceptions across three consecutive defeats. He and the 49ers ultimately bounced back and went from 5-3 to 12-4 before a meaningless Week 18 encounter, and the 24-year-old finished the regular season as a finalist for Most Valuable Player honors. 

In the end, Purdy was one 49ers defensive stop away from becoming a Super Bowl champion in February. 

At least one NFL scout thinks Purdy is "nowhere close to his ceiling" at this stage of his career. Garcia offered pointers for what Purdy could examine this offseason to reach that ceiling sooner rather than later. 

"Maybe there were certain breakdowns in decision-making, certain decisions based on pre-snap and post-snap, how he's seeing the coverage, how he's seeing the coverage rotate after the snap, where he's going with the football," Garcia said about things Purdy may notice while studying game film. 

Purdy and Garcia could be linked for years to come. After all, Purdy broke the franchise record for most passing yards in a single season that Garcia set during the 2000 campaign. While some may still view Purdy as a "game manager" who is lucky to play under a brilliant offensive mind — Kyle Shanahan — Garcia noted the young signal-caller possesses an important trait the head coach can't teach. 

"He's very mature for his age," Garcia added about Purdy, "and you love to see that among these young guys, especially a young guy that's leading our team in the Bay Area." 

As of late Thursday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Purdy tied for sixth among the betting favorites at +1200 odds to claim the MVP Award for the upcoming regular season. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Watch: Chris Kreider's natural third-period hat trick shatters Hurricanes' comeback hopes
Dodgers starter undergoes season-ending UCL surgery
Knicks star ruled out for potential closeout game
Veteran NFL safety will either play for this team or retire in 2024
Former Red Wings head coach linked to open NHL job
How Patriots' Drake Maye has already impressed Jacoby Brissett
LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry among Forbes' highest-paid athletes for 2024
Steve Cohen addresses if Mets could again be trade-deadline sellers
Tiger Woods ruins strong first round with sloppy finish at PGA Championship
Xander Schauffele makes history in first round of PGA Championship
NFL responds to speculation about Chiefs schedule and Taylor Swift
Despite hopes for change, NASCAR championship weekend will return to Phoenix in 2025
Chiefs will achieve something not done since 1927 with 2024 schedule
Caitlin Clark's debut was most-watched WNBA game in more than 20 years
Yankees' Aaron Judge comments on resurgence after bad slump
Odell Beckham Jr. reveals why he was 'hesitant' to join Dolphins
Lakers reportedly interested in adding three-time All-Star via trade
Luka Doncic fed off negative reactions in Game 5 win over Thunder
Celtics finally put away undermanned Cavaliers, advance to conference finals
Avalanche force Game 6 with big third period vs. Stars