49ers' George Kittle addresses how Brock Purdy will handle pressure related to signing massive extension

San Francisco 49ers legend and Hall of Famer Joe Montana recently endorsed the club locking quarterback Brock Purdy down via a five-year, $265M contract extension that included $181M in guarantees and a no-trade clause this past spring.

During a recent appearance on the FanDuel TV "Up & Adams" program, 49ers tight end George Kittle addressed how Purdy will handle the pressure that comes with signing such a massive deal. 

"We all still have something to prove every single day," Kittle explained, as shared by Kevin Patra of the NFL's website. "So, for the people that like saying that, you know, 'He's got something to prove,' good for them. I think Brock is just gonna continue to elevate his game and continue to play at a high level. That's all we really care about."

Critics have accused the 49ers of "overpaying" Purdy after the alleged "game manager" was unable to help the club overcome an injury crisis as it went from 5-4 to 6-11 last season. That said, Purdy started in a pair of conference championship games, got the 49ers to within one play of winning a Super Bowl and became a finalist for the 2023 MVP Award over his first two seasons after San Francisco made him the last pick of the 2022 draft. 

"I want to be around guys that strive to be better every single day," Kittle continued. "I don't like being around people who are content because complacency is not a good thing in a locker room. So, if our players are continually practicing their (expletive) off, continually getting better every single day, and they have the desire to get better every day, I'm in a great room, I'm in a great building. So, I'm just happy to be around guys that are like that, and Brock is definitely one of those guys."

Purdy could have a chip on his shoulder after NFL executives, coaches and scouts recently surveyed by ESPN did not rank him among the league's top 10 players at the position. According to StatMuse, only two-time MVP Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens had a better passer rating (106.1) than Purdy (104.9) from 2022-24. 

"I think playing quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers is one of the biggest spotlights in sports because of the guys that played before us," Kittle added in an apparent reference to icons such as Montana and Steve Young. "I think that's just what comes with the job. It is what it is. I'm not too worried about Brock. ...His work ethic has been awesome."

As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the 49ers tied for fourth among the betting favorites at +1000 odds to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LX. If Purdy matches the value of his contract with his play, San Francisco could do more than just appear in that championship game.