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The San Francisco 49ers are arguably the best team in the NFL and arguably the most responsible for their success.
The Niners are 5-0 after defeating the Dallas Cowboys 42-10. Their point differential is plus-99, the highest in the league. When he replaced Jimmy Garoppolo last year, quarterback Brock Purdy took the field with Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuki and a dominant offensive line. The Niners’ elite defense also helps.
Purdy was the last player selected in the 2022 NFL Draft and entered his first season as the third-string QB. But injuries to Trey Lance and Garoppolo left Purdy behind center, and Purdy has yet to lose a regular season game.
San Francisco 49ers’ Brock Purdy reacts to Christian McCaffrey’s touchdown in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium in October. 8/2023 in Santa Clara, California (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Given the 49ers’ stack, some could argue that there are plenty of quarterbacks who can take snaps in San Francisco and be just as dominant.
Don’t suggest that to Rob Gronkowski, who says San Fran struck “gold” with Purdy.
“It’s easy to say you can turn on quarterbacks and they’d be winners too because they have so many weapons around them. But that’s how you win championships,” Gronkowski said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. San Francisco 49ers’ Brock Purdy reacts after completing a first down during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Pittsburgh. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
“Everybody has to click. The quarterback has to click, the wide receiver has to click, the defense has to click, the whole organization has to click. And they do, and that’s where Brock Purdy fits in. “He’s great for this organization, he’s great for this team. So you can’t say that. It’s easy to say you plug any quarterback, but (understand) that’s not the case. Brock Purdy is a guy from San . Francisco. He understands the organization, his character is perfect and they will surely strike gold if he only has a rookie contract like $800,000, which is wild.”
The only game Purdy has missed in his career thus far was last year’s NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles when he had to leave the game after tearing his UCL in his pitching elbow. This season, Purdy’s 123.1 passer rating is first in the NFL and his 72.1 completion percentage is second only to Josh Allen. Purdy is on pace for 4,321 yards, 30 touchdowns and 17 wins.
