49ers News: George Kittle Defends Brock Purdy Amid Ongoing Criticism
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has voiced his frustration over the ongoing criticism of quarterback Brock Purdy. Despite Purdy's impressive performance in his first two seasons, skeptics continue to question his ability to lead the team to a Super Bowl victory. This criticism persists even after Purdy narrowly missed achieving that goal last February.
Entering the 2023 season, Purdy faced doubts, especially after recovering from a UCL tear suffered during the NFC Championship Game. However, he responded with one of the most efficient seasons in 49ers history, earning a Pro Bowl selection and leading the league in several key statistics, including touchdown percentage and quarterback rating. He even set a new franchise record for passing yards in a single season.
Kittle, along with other teammates, is tired of the negative narratives surrounding Purdy. Kittle pointed out that if Purdy had been a higher draft pick, he likely wouldn’t be facing the same level of scrutiny. He emphasized that Purdy's statistics speak for themselves, highlighting his accuracy and ability to make plays downfield.
"I do a really good job of avoiding the media in the season," Kittle said to Kay Adams. "But it does get pretty annoying sometimes when you hear all the things going on about Brock because this is my thing: if he was a top-20 pick, first-round pick...he wouldn't be a punching bag to nobody. But because he was the last pick in the draft, because he's a shorter white guy from Iowa State, it's just like, 'Ah, nah, dude, it's just because of all the other guys on his team, that's why he's so good.'
"I'm like, just watch the tape. He's obviously better than what you guys are saying that he is. You look at all the stats, too. The down-the-field yards is one of the most in the NFL. His accuracy, his QB rating, his touchdowns to interceptions, his yards. He's top-five in every statistical category. It's not just the guys he playing with, he's also a really good quarterback."
This season is crucial for Purdy, as he aims to prove his critics wrong while also positioning himself for a potential contract extension. With the 49ers believing they have a strong chance at a championship, all eyes will be on Purdy as he looks to elevate his game and lead the team to success.
