After three straight losses in which the offense failed to gain traction and key mistakes proved costly, there has been considerable skepticism in San Francisco about the 49ers, who appeared unbeatable in the NFL during their 5-0 start. Instead of pointing fingers around the locker room, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy accepted responsibility.
Purdy delivered that message to the squad this week, according to wide receiver Deebo Samuel. On the “Up & Adams” show, Samuel stated that Purdy was willing to accept whatever blame was deserved.
“One thing I like about Brock, with the guys we have in our locker room, we do a great job of keeping his confidence up,” Samuel stated (H/T NBC Sports Bay Area). “And one thing that struck me about Brock after we lost to the Bengals was that he accepts full responsibility for his actions and understands the importance of playing well, you know what I mean?”
“So, before we broke the huddle in the locker room, he said, ‘Yo guys, this one’s on me.'” I have to improve.’ So that’s one quality we admire in Brock Purdy: he accepts full responsibility for his acts.”
Purdy was undergoing concussion protocol.
Of course, there was considerable debate over whether Brock Purdy should have been the 49ers’ starting quarterback in Week 8 against Cincinnati after suffering a concussion the week before. During the practice week, Samuel said he saw no symptoms of Purdy dealing with the impact on the head.
“I thought he did well.” “After watching Brock all week in practice, I thought he did a pretty good job,” Samuel said.
Purdy had a moment of concern late in the Bengals’ loss when he took a blow and his head impacted the turf hard. Coach Kyle Shanahan stated that the play piqued his interest.
“There was a scare when you see the tape or when I saw the tape, but just talking to him after the game and talking to him today, he has been totally fine,” Shanahan said in a recent interview.
Concerns for 49ers Quarterback Brock Purdy
Still, there are broader reasons to be concerned about Brock Purdy’s performance as quarterback for the 49ers. After scoring 33.4 points per game in the first five games of the season, the 49ers have scored only 17 points in the last three games.
Purdy had a quarterback rating of 111.3 or above in four of the five games, throwing no interceptions and scoring eight touchdowns. Purdy had the worst game of his 49ers career during the sloppy defeat in Cleveland in Week 6 (55.3 quarterback rating), but he has improved since then.
Purdy had a great individual performance against the Bengals, with 365 yards passing and a team-high 57 yards rushing. Purdy overcompensated by throwing two interceptions. Purdy could benefit from a week rest and the return of Samuel (who is out with a shoulder injury).
On the episode, Adams played a clip from a guest who stated that he was told by the 49ers that “Brock Purdy is not the guy.”
Samuel rolled his eyes and replied, “Let ’em talk.”
Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter for Heavy.com who focuses on the NBA and NFL. He has been writing for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the Sporting News’ lead NBA reporter. Deveney’s nonfiction books include “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley Became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.”More information on Sean Deveney
