The San Francisco 49ers lost their third consecutive game on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Poor play from starting quarterback Brock Purdy has perhaps been the biggest takeaway from these recent losses. Despite this, it doesn’t sound like there is any quarterback controversy in San Francisco.
Purdy had been excellent at limiting turnovers for much of his young career before the three-game losing streak began. In fact, Purdy didn’t throw an interception in any of his first 13 career starts, which dates all the way back to last season.
His last three games have been a different story entirely. The second-year quarterback has committed five interceptions in the 49ers last three matchups.
This led to 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan answering questions about Purdy on Monday. He was asked whether he will consider a change at quarterback following these struggles, where he enphatically stated that Purdy is their guy at quarterback.
“No,” said Shanahan decisively. “Because no one just changes their quarterback for no reason.”
It’s interesting to hear this from Shanahan, largely because there is an obvious reason to potentially make a change. Purdy’s turnovers have been a problem for the team, but it seems like Shanahan doesn’t see things that way.
Fans took notice of Shanahan’s comments and offered their opinion on the matter on social media.
He probably should
— #HeatCulture (@GangGreenSports) October 31, 2023
Lmao That narrative changed quick. Puddy quick!
— Bang Bang 1994!! LMAO (@Carmine145356) October 31, 2023
Yeah cause he knows that would be even more of a downgrade lol.
— K.M. (@UncleJemima29) October 31, 2023
Nor should he good lord
— Jeremy Austin (@jaustin916) October 31, 2023
Why would he. OMG 🤣🤣🤣
— MadPort (@johnmalvesjr) October 31, 2023
The backup quarterback in San Francisco is former first-round pick Sam Darnold, who has notably had his own struggles with turnovers over the course of his career.
It can be argued whether or not Darnold would have fared any better or worse in the 49ers’ past few games. But regardless, it seems pretty clear that Shanahan is confident that Purdy can turn things around. And it appears that he will have every chance to do so for the rest of the season.
