The San Francisco 49ers find themselves navigating murky waters midway through the 2024 NFL season. A 20-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday dropped them to 5-5, leaving fans and analysts questioning their playoff aspirations. Quarterback Brock Purdy, the team’s once-promising seventh-round gem, has found himself at the center of those conversations, particularly after sitting out Wednesday’s practice with a right shoulder injury.
As the 49ers prepare to face the Green Bay Packers (7-3) at Lambeau Field in Week 12, concerns about Purdy’s health and performance loom large. Despite a rocky start to the season, the 24-year-old remains their best option under center. Purdy’s stats, though respectable-66% completion rate, 2,613 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions-haven’t matched the standard he set in his rookie season.
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When asked about Purdy’s development in his third NFL season, head coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t sugarcoat his response. “It’s hard to make a lot of progress after the way he played last year,” Shanahan remarked on Wednesday. “I think Brock’s playing at the exact same level.“
While Shanahan’s comments seemed to defend Purdy’s consistency, they struck a chord with fans who expected the young quarterback to elevate his game. On social media, reactions ranged from disappointment to outright criticism of Shanahan’s leadership. “To say Brock hasn’t made ANY progress in year three is backstabbing on your QB,” one fan posted, reflecting a sentiment shared by many.
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Shanahan went on to suggest that the team’s overall struggles in 2024 might be impacting Purdy’s perceived stagnation. “Our team hasn’t been quite as good through this,” he added, pointing to changes and challenges across the roster that have made it harder for the offense to find its rhythm.
Despite the defense, the implications of Shanahan’s words extend beyond this season. With Purdy’s rookie contract nearing its end, the 49ers must soon decide whether he’s worth a significant financial investment. The going rate for top-tier quarterbacks now ranges from $50-60 million annually-a steep price for a player whose ceiling remains uncertain.
Should the 49ers conclude that Purdy lacks the ability to elevate an average supporting cast, they might explore other options, including drafting his replacement. The decision becomes even more critical as NFL teams like the Cincinnati Bengals face the challenge of maintaining competitive rosters under the weight of massive quarterback contracts.
For now, Purdy’s focus will remain on getting healthy and silencing doubts as the season progresses. Whether he can recapture the magic of his rookie campaign-or prove Shanahan wrong-will shape not only the 49ers’ playoff hopes but also their long-term future at the most important position in football.
