Former 49ers quarterback makes feelings on Brock Purdy clear

Retired Pro Bowl quarterback and current ESPN analyst Alex Smith explained during a Thursday appearance on sports radio station 95.7 The Game why he's convinced San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy "is the real deal" who deserves to get paid next offseason. 

"Accuracy throwing under pressure with a defender in proximity of him," Smith said about Purdy's positive attributes, as shared by the Audacy website. "Passing outside the pocket. Throwing the ball downfield. I mean, Brock was No. 1 in the NFL in about every category there was. This guy does it all and then you just turn [on] the tape and the eye test, he passes it as well."

Specifically, ESPN stats show that Purdy ended the 2023 regular season ranked No. 1 among qualified players with a 72.8 adjusted QBR, a 113.0 passer rating and an average of 9.6 yards per pass attempt. 

Purdy guiding the 49ers to Super Bowl LVIII didn't completely eliminate the "game manager" label that hovered over his status throughout this past season in the eyes of skeptics. 

He completed 23-of-38 passes for 255 yards with a touchdown in the 25-22 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and that performance hasn't stopped individuals such as former New England Patriots tight end Jermaine Wiggins from suggesting as recently as this week that the 49ers need to call Tom Brady about possibly ending his retirement and replacing Purdy atop the depth chart for at least the 2024 campaign. 

Smith isn't among those doubters, as he made it known during the radio segment that he sees greatness in the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. 

"I think the thing that jumped out to me that is incredibly elite, again, I think this guy has more courage than anybody in the NFL," Smith added about Purdy. "... And man, to be unrattled and unfazed and keep your attention downfield. I mean, this guy can beat you from the pocket, one, and then, obviously, I think he showed everybody what a good athlete he is when he does get a chance to use his legs."

As noted by outlets such as NBC Sports Bay Area, Purdy seems on track to earn a massive contract extension after the next NFL year starts in March 2025. Smith said he expects Purdy will "only continue to keep ascending this next year," so it's possible the 24-year-old will be even more expensive next spring than he'd be if he was eligible for a new deal this month.