One Underrated Trait That 49ers QB Brock Purdy has

There is one underrated trait that 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has that should be commended more. Here is what it is.
Sep 29, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) passes the football against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
Sep 29, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) passes the football against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images / Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
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There are many traits that make 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy an excellent player.

He is a solid processor, has amazing mental fortitude, and has sound scrambling ability. However, there is one underrated trait that Purdy has that isn't talked about enough. That trait is accountability, which ties into leadership.

Every leader on a team has to take accountability, especially as a quarterback. Purdy accomplishes that to perfection. Look no further than when he took ownership at his press conference on Thursday. It was regarding a throw completed to Deebo Samuel that he wishes was better in Week 4 against the Patriots.

“If I would've just led him in stride, I think that's a touchdown," said Purdy. "But obviously the safety that was in the middle of the field wasn't getting deep and we had a post on in which Deebo ran really well. And for me, I saw him so open that I didn't want to overthrow him. I did that last year against the Rams. There's some plays where I've underthrown him too.

"And so, I was just trying to get a completion, but in hindsight, I have to be aggressive. I have to lead him in stride and trust him more than anything for him to go and make that play. That's what I meant by it. So, I wish I would've led him and it would've been a touchdown, but JP finished it either way.”

This type of ownership is what is going to allow Purdy to continue to ascend. While it was a nice play he made to Samuel, he left more out there to be had. It is the equivalent of not finishing all the food on your dinner plate. There was still more on there, yet Purdy left the table with food still on his plate.

There shouldn't be a doubt that Purdy won't improve from this. He recognized this mistake immediately in the game. You can hear him acknowledge that since he was mic'd up. Samuel might not have much of a gripe with that throw. He spent years getting missed by former starter Jimmy Garoppolo.

But Purdy is far and beyond Garoppolo. Not only can he hit Samuel and others like that, he will try to get better at it. That is why he is holding himself accountable. He has to. A player cannot get better if they don't take accountability for their mistakes or less-than-optimal plays.

Again, this will allow Purdy to ascend. He is doing that already through four games this season. Purdy has been really solid. There is an argument to be made that he looks better than any four-game stretch he had last year when he was in MVP contention. There is a lot to be excited about with the 49ers this year and it is largely thanks to Purdy.


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Jose Luis Sanchez III
JOSE LUIS SANCHEZ III

Jose Luis Sanchez III has covered the San Francisco 49ers daily for FanNation since 2019. He started off as the lead publisher for FanNation's All49ers, then switched positions to become the Deputy Editor in 2020. Sanchez writes, edits, and produces videos daily for All49ers. He also co-hosts a show on YouTube with All49ers lead publisher Grant Cohn weekly. Prior to FanNation, Sanchez started his writing career back in 2016 for the school newspaper at Skyline college where he covered all sports team in the Bay Area. Following that from 2017 to 2019, he found a role as a contributor for FanSided's news desk along with their site's Just Blog Baby covering the Las Vegas Raiders and Golden Gate Sports every professional Bay Area sports team. Atop all of that, he was able to graduate with a Bachelors degree in Communication Studies at San Francisco State University in 2020. Sanchez is committed to ensuring he delivers transparent analysis and straightforward opinions that resonates with readers to get them thinking.