After a record-breaking 2023 campaign, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has struggled to replicate last year's standout numbers, showing less consistency throughout the 2024 season. Despite this, head coach Kyle Shanahan doesn't believe Purdy's performance has declined significantly. Instead, Shanahan attributes the statistical drop-off to the challenging circumstances the team has faced this season.
"I'm excited for Brock to get away for a little bit, and him and I get back together and watch this whole season of tape, where we can really just dissect it," Shanahan said Thursday on Bay Area radio station KNBR.
The 49ers have endured a season plagued by injuries and will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Shanahan believes these challenges have significantly affected Purdy's inability to match his previous success.
"Brock's numbers and stuff aren't as good as his last two years, but of course they're not," Shanahan said. "He's been missing a starting left tackle. He's been missing an NFL MVP at running back. He's been missing the backup running back and the third-string running back. He's been missing his starting X (receiver).
"He's had to go through a lot of stuff out there that's made this season much bigger of a challenge, which your numbers will change when that's the case. But I don't think Brock's playing much different than he has when he was killing it numbers-wise those two years."
Shanahan expressed optimism that Purdy will emerge stronger from an adversity-filled season. He believes the experience has helped the young quarterback develop the ability to adapt and improvise when plays don't go as planned.
"He's had some tough games that he's had to bounce back from, which he always does," Shanahan continued. "But I think Brock's had a hell of a year. There's always things that we can improve on, which we'll look into all that when we get back here in the offseason.
"You always want everything to go right, but I do think, when things aren't perfect, and [it seems] like things aren't going the right way, I think, sometimes, in the long run, it can be one of the best things that happen if you learn from it and get better."
Shanahan's confidence in Purdy hasn't wavered. The coach believes the quarterback's resilience during a challenging 2024 season proves the team has found the right leader for the future.
Following Sunday's season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, the 49ers will turn their attention to a contract extension for Purdy, which will likely be one of the top storylines of the offseason.
You can listen to Shanahan's entire interview below.
