In a recent ranking by Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame, the quarterback-coach combination of Brock Purdy and Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers was placed ninth among all the teams in the NFL. While Verderame noted that Purdy is expected to have a good year while Shanahan aims to win a Super Bowl, there are some points to consider.
Purdy was the NFL’s highest-rated quarterback last season, while Shanahan has never had a no. 1 rated offense in his career, with even his great 2016 Falcons offense only ranking second in the league. Additionally, Purdy’s performance in the Super Bowl was better than Shanahan’s, as Shanahan’s team choked while Purdy held his own.
Despite Verderame implying that Shanahan is better at his job than Purdy, it is clear that Purdy is a crucial part of both the present and future of the team, far surpassing Shanahan in terms of importance. His strong play saved Shanahan’s job after a risky trade for Trey Lance.
