San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and Houston Texans rookie CJ Stroud are two emerging talents under the NFL spotlight. Despite similar challenges, 49ers insider David Lombardi believes Purdy is being judged more harshly than Stroud, who has received little backlash after recent lackluster performances.
In a recent post on X, Lombardi expressed his frustration with the biased treatment, stating that Stroud “is getting a bit of a pass” for multiple average performances. Meanwhile, Purdy is facing fierce criticism after one difficult game against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he recorded a passer rating of 36.7 with three interceptions and two rushing touchdowns. Lombardi highlights the unspoken “draftism” at play, pointing to Purdy’s “Mr. Irrelevant” title and comparatively low rookie contract as reasons he’s underappreciated.
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Examining the double standard for quarterbacks
Purdy’s $3.7 million four-year deal contrasts starkly with Stroud’s multi-million rookie contract, which is nearly ten times higher. Despite this, Purdy has led the 49ers to the Super Bowl and consistently contributed to his team’s success. Lombardi argues that quarterbacks with higher expectations, like Stroud, should logically face more scrutiny – yet Purdy is the one in the line of fire.
In Purdy’s recent game, his struggles were amplified by an injury to his top receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. With Christian McCaffrey still sidelined and key players like Deebo Samuel missing, Purdy was at a disadvantage against a strong Chiefs defense. On the Texans‘ side, Stroud‘s performance against the Jets also took a hit due to injuries, with both Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins out, alongside offensive line issues that saw Stroud taking eight sacks.
Stroud’s performance: why the media isn’t talking
Stroud completed only 36.7% of his passes in his recent game against the Jets and didn’t score a single touchdown. Despite this regression, coverage remains largely positive. Lombardi calls out the lack of balanced media scrutiny, pointing out that while Stroud’s contract and draft pick came with high expectations, media outlets rarely question his inconsistencies.
Moving forward, both Purdy and Stroud have significant potential for the season. However, Lombardi and many 49ers fans hope to see a more even-handed approach in the media’s critique, recognizing Purdy’s achievements and Stroud’s growth equally.
