Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was very complimentary of Brock Purdy in the wake of Super Bowl 58.
And his opinion of the San Francisco 49ers quarterback has only grown from what he has seen on tape this season.
Despite the 49ers coming up short in overtime against the Chiefs in Las Vegas in February, Spagnuolo praised Purdy for the way in which he found the weaknesses in Kansas City's zone coverage.
Purdy will renew acquaintances with the Kansas City defense in Sunday's Week 7 Super Bowl rematch between the two teams, and Spagnuolo is seemingly anticipating a more difficult time slowing down the final pick in the 2022 draft.
The Chiefs were able to frustrate the 49ers' in their 25-22 Super Bowl win through the use of aggressive and physical man coverage. Asked in his Thursday press conference why they leant on that approach, Spagnuolo paid Purdy the ultimate compliment.
"I think the quarterback is really good against zone and finding those pockets and spaces, and I think the receivers adjust routes to do that. That makes it really challenging in zone," Spagnuolo explained.
"Now, one of the things you gotta remember is [in the Super Bowl] we had, you know, last year was a little different. LJ [L'Jarius Sneed] was here, and Trent [McDuffie], we had him in a different spot and and so we'll see if we can do the same things.
"But I just think their system is built that they really can expose zone coverage. And yet, I think they've got enough skill that if you don't have the right man people covering their men, that can be challenging too.
"I mean, it's going to start up front and stopping the run, and hopefully we can get the quarterback not to be in timing like he is. Because I I can't find a weakness in this quarterback. Every time I put the film on, I'm more and more impressed."
Referencing the Chiefs' regular-season win over San Francisco in 2022 when Purdy came in during garbage time, Spagnuolo added: "It was at the end of the game, and I think they had taken [Jimmy] Garoppolo out, and it was Brock Purdy, and I had forgotten that, but he ran the two minute drill and kind of got him down there, and then I think we picked it off at the end, but he looked pretty good then, not like he is now, but I'm really impressed with the quarterback."
Purdy has come a long way since a forgettable cameo in the last regular-season meeting between these two powerhouses. Now, he is a quarterback who not only runs the Kyle Shanahan system to a tee, but one who has also proven he can consistently elevate it with his downfield throwing ability and prowess for making plays out of structure.
His progress this season has allowed Purdy to thrive without the need for substantial yardage after the catch from his receivers, which was something the Chiefs did an excellent job of limiting in the Super Bowl.
The challenge in defending Purdy has changed, and nobody is more aware of that than Spagnuolo, whose defense the 49ers have described as the best they have faced this season. It promises to be a compelling matchup, and more people may be willing to share Spagnuolo's view of Purdy if he helps the 49ers come out on top.
Related: 49ers can't afford to be comfortable with unfortunate reality brought on by sneaky big injury
Local News
Comments / 0