ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky Explained Why Brock Purdy (And Even Sam Darnold!) Can Lead 49ers to Super Bowl

There are a few reasons why.

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky is buying the hype when it comes to Brock Purdy’s second season with the San Francisco 49ers.

Purdy, last year’s Mr. Irrelevant in the NFL draft whose play late in the 2022 season drew universal praise, is on track to be the Niners’ starting QB in 2023. And while many have questioned whether Purdy’s play last year was sustainable, Orlovsky thinks San Francisco has Super Bowl potential with the former third-stringer leading the offense.

“Yes, he can lead them to the Super Bowl,” Orlovsky said on First Take Thursday. “I think the thing that changed a little bit with their offense with Brock Purdy post-Jimmy Garoppolo was a little bit of the creativity… Brock Purdy brought a little bit of creativity to their offense.”

Can Brock Purdy lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl? 🤔 @danorlovsky7 thinks so 👀 pic.twitter.com/vRs1X3DnhT

— First Take (@FirstTake) August 17, 2023

Orlovsky seems high on the Niners regardless of who’s quarterbacking them, saying that with their combination of defense and offensive weapons, even backup Sam Darnold could have San Francisco in the Super Bowl mix. But clearly he’s buying stock in Purdy, mostly due to his command of coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. His only question: How defenses will handle Purdy after studying him on film over an extended period of time.

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“[ESPN colleague] Marcus Spears always says this, it’s so much harder to game-plan for a backup quarterback because you don’t know what they are and what they aren’t,” Orlovsky said. “Now, teams will. They’ve had a whole offseason of season who he is in Kyle’s offense.”

The Niners have a crowded QB room that also features Darnold and former No. 3 overall draft choice Trey Lance. For now, they seem intent on putting their Super Bowl hopes in the hands of Purdy, who helped the Niners to the NFC Championship Game in 2022.