Evaluating quarterbacks under Kyle Shanahan can sometimes be a tricky proposition, given the fact that Shanahan is excellent as scheming players open and has the most talented array of offensive weapons in the league.
But it’s clear that Brock Purdy has been executing that offense better than any of the San Francisco quarterbacks who have preceded him.
Still, a notion pervades that Purdy is nothing more than a system quarterback. It’s a criticism which implies he would struggle if not coached by Shanahan or a similar coach of his stature. Shanahan was none too pleased with the suggestion on Wednesday, saying there’s far too much evidence out there to the contrary.
“That’s pretty ridiculous. You’ve just gotta watch the tape,” Shanahan said. “He plays at a high level every time he’s been out there. He’s done it in a lot of different situations, against a lot of different defenses, on the road, at home, playoff games, when injured. He’s been out there too long. It’s on tape.”
Purdy currently leads the NFL in myriad stats:
- Traditional passer rating (115.1)
- QB rating (84.6)
- Expected points added per play (0.456) – Tua Tagavailoa is second at 0.344
- Expected points added plus completion percentage over expected (.249) – Tagavailoa and Josh Allen are tied for second at 0.212
Coming into this weekend, Purdy has 5 passing touchdowns, 1,019 passing yards and zero interceptions through four games.
Aside from the NFC Championship, Purdy has failed to lose a game in his 11 other starts plus one nearly full relief appearance against the Dolphins last year.
San Francisco has scored more than 30 points in 10 of those 12 games with Purdy (the NFC Championship is excluded). The offense put up 30-plus points three times in 10 games last year with Jimmy Garoppolo and twice in Garoppolo’s five games with Christian McCaffrey on the roster.