San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle publicly backed quarterback Brock Purdy following the latter’s $265 million contract extension signed in May. Kittle expressed confidence in Purdy’s value to the team, emphasizing his winning impact over the past two seasons in response to questions about the deal on “The Rich Eisen Show.”
“I would say, I don’t know what his winning percentage is, but when you win a lot of games, for two years to go to the NFC championship game or better, I think that’s decent,” Kittle said (02:41), via “The Rich Eisen Show.”
“One of my favourite things about Purdy is that everyone calls him a checkdown merchant, and then the last two years he has the least amount of checkdowns in the NFL, so I think he’s doing pretty well.”
Despite being labeled a “checkdown merchant,” Purdy has recorded the fewest checkdowns in the NFL over the last two years, highlighting his effectiveness as a quarterback beyond common perceptions.
Purdy’s Career Achievements and Statistical Excellence
Since stepping into the starting role, Brock Purdy has led the 49ers to one Super Bowl and back-to-back NFC championship appearances across three NFL seasons. Following the 2023 season, Purdy holds a winning percentage of .639, marginally below former starter Jimmy Garoppolo’s .691. In the 2023 season, Purdy topped the league in passing yards per game with 9.6 and earned the highest passer rating at 113.0.
Though the 49ers narrowly lost the Super Bowl in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs last season, Purdy’s leadership has been instrumental in sustaining the team’s strong playoff presence and competitive edge.
Improving Protection to Support Purdy’s Growth
The 2023 season saw Purdy face increased pressure, as he was sacked 31 times—the highest number in his career—partly due to injuries and protection breakdowns. In response, the 49ers fortified their offensive line and skill positions during the offseason by signing tight end Luke Farrell, re-signing fullback Kyle Juszczyk, and acquiring offensive tackle Nicolas Petit-Frere.
Crucially, the return of All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams to full health is seen as a pivotal factor for enhancing Purdy’s pocket time. Williams, an 11-time Pro Bowler and three-time First-team All-Pro, missed time last year with an ankle injury but is expected to provide seasoned leadership and elite protection. Under contract through the 2026 season, Williams has been a cornerstone of San Francisco’s offensive front since 2020.
The Significance of Purdy’s Contract and Future Prospects
The sizable contract extension awarded to Brock Purdy reflects the organization‘s belief in his talent and potential to lead the 49ers deep into future playoff runs. With improvements made to the offensive line and key skill positions, Purdy’s ability to maintain a high winning percentage looks promising, especially as he continues to demonstrate statistical excellence and resilience under pressure.
As San Francisco aims to return to championship form, Purdy’s development combined with enhanced protection will likely determine how far the team advances in the seasons ahead.