San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is unconcerned by quarterback Brock Purdy tossing interceptions in training camp.
Last season, Purdy - the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft - led the 49ers to a Super Bowl berth. While the NFC West franchise fell to the Kansas City Chiefs , Purdy finished fourth in MVP voting and sixth in Offensive Player of the Year voting after throwing for 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just 11 interceptions.
However, Purdy’s interceptions at 49ers training camp have been a talking point around the team this week. The 24-year-old played down the concerns, insisting now is the time for experimenting with certain throws that might have negative consequences.
READ MORE: NFL players snub Patrick Mahomes from top 3 players despite Super Bowl exploits
READ MORE: Tyreek Hill shares honest reaction to hearing Tua Tagovailoa got huge new contract
While fans might be concerned about Purdy’s play, the 49ers are not. On Friday, Shanahan cited Purdy’s risky play in these situations as the reason why he’s not losing sleep about the turnovers in recent practice sessions.
“I know, always, stats are made a big deal in practice and I know that’ll stick out, too,” Shanahan said, via 49ersWebzone.com. “And we never want a lot of picks in practice, regardless of who it is, but Brock’s never really had an interception problem.
“He’s protected the ball pretty well in this league for his two years. He also isn’t scared to let it rip, too. When you’re in practice, if we were really trying to fix that, and if he had had a problem, and you come out and that’s all we’re focusing on, and he still has some stats like that, then that’s something that concerns you.
Follow us on X for the best and latest in sports news
“But that’s something I really haven’t been worried about with Brock, and that’s why those stats are also something that hasn’t bothered me at all.”
Across his career, Purdy has done well to retain possession and limit turnovers. He has thrown 50 touchdowns and 16 interceptions while leading the 49ers to wins in 21 of the 27 games he has started.
When asked about the interceptions, Purdy told KNBR: “[R]ight now is the time for us to go out and - you always hear the quarterback say experiment - but that’s really what it is.
“Can I fit it in this window on this hitch? Can I look off Fred [Warner] or [Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles] or [De’Vondre Campbell] in a certain way and then make that throw backside?
"You’ve got to try it out… [T]here’s a time and a place where I’m like, ‘Hey, you know what? This is practice, and I’m going to drop back and try this out.’ And then you figure out [whether] it could be a part of your game or not for the season.”
Despite how Shanahan might feel about Purdy's interceptions, fans are hoping the star quarterback can reel in his mistakes sooner rather than later. The 49ers begin their season on September 9, taking on the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium.
Most Popular
Comments / 0