Executive shares shocking Brock Purdy take after 49ers' loss to Rams

Before the San Francisco 49ers fell to 6-8 on the season via a 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams this past Thursday, ESPN's Bill Barnwell suggested that the 49ers will lock quarterback Brock Purdy down via a contract extension this offseason.

After Purdy completed 14-of-31 passes for 142 yards with no touchdowns and one interception versus the Rams, one unnamed executive from another team is now having second thoughts about San Francisco committing to the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft on a long-term basis. 

"The new contract for Purdy (in the offseason) was a slam dunk for me until Thursday night," the executive told Mike Sando of The Athletic for a piece published Monday. "What I saw was a guy who was so limited physically that, I’m not saying I don’t want him, it’s just the first time I’ve said, 'Hmmm, he can’t make those throws.'" 

Doubters and critics routinely referred to Purdy as a "game manager" as he guided the 2022 49ers to the NFC Championship Game and even as he led the club to Super Bowl LVIII while becoming a regular-season Most Valuable Player Award finalist. More recently, an injury crisis has made life difficult for Purdy and for 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan throughout the ongoing campaign. 

According to ESPN stats, Purdy began Monday ranked ninth in the NFL among qualified players with a 65.3 adjusted QBR and 15th with a 94.3 passer rating for the season. Over 13 games, he tossed 15 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. 

For an article published on Sunday night, ESPN's Dan Graziano wrote that it's an "overreaction" to think that the 49ers should now wait to extend Purdy. On Monday, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated revealed that the 49ers view giving Purdy an extension "as a 'when,' not an 'if'" situation. 

Purdy is signed through next season, and Sando noted that the 49ers could have the 24-year-old play in a contract year. San Francisco could subsequently retain Purdy's rights for 2026 via the franchise tag if general manager John Lynch and/or Shanahan want to keep their options open regarding the club's quarterback situation. 

The Niners next play at the 6-8 Miami Dolphins this coming Sunday. As of late Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed San Francisco as a 1.5-point underdog against Miami.