EXCLUSIVE
Brock Purdy’s blunt four-word response to Cam Newton’s ‘game manager’ accusation
Brock Purdy is a serious NFL MVP candidate so the San Francisco quarterback is clearly more than just a "game manager."
But Purdy appears to have heard at least some of the outside noise.
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The on-field leader of the NFC-best 49ers delivered a quick and sarcastic response exclusively to talkSPORT when the generic label was attached to his name.
"Yeah, that's right. Yep," said Purdy, after San Francisco's supposed run-first offense and the QB just being a "game manager" were mentioned in an interview.
Former NFL MVP Cam Newton previously tried to take a dig at Purdy and other quarterbacks by calling them game managers -- QBs who run a coach's system, instead of dominating the field with their elite talent.
"They're not winning because of him," Newton . "He's managing the game. And if we were to put that in its own right as game managers: Brock Purdy, Tua Tagovailoa, Jared Goff. And really, Dak Prescott. These are game managers. They're not difference makers."
The 49ers (12-5) secured a first-round bye as No. 1 seeds in the NFC and will play Green Bay in Saturday's Divisional Round game.
San Francisco ranked among the top teams in the league in average offensive yards and scoring, while Purdy is 17-4 as San Francisco's starter.
This season, the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft led the NFL in passing yards per attempt (9.6) and passer rating (113).
Purdy has completed 68.7 percent of his attempts for 5,654 yards, 44 touchdowns and a 111.4 passer rating with only 11 interceptions since becoming the 49ers’ primary QB.
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"We let Brock know every week that we're going to ride with him," San Francisco wide receiver Jauan Jennings exclusively told talkSPORT. "Always got his back and Brock comes out there and gives us a chance to win every game."
Despite putting up the best numbers of his career, Purdy was quick to give credit to the talent surrounding him on the field and sideline.
"It's not a one-man show and I definitely have a lot of support and help around me. It's definitely a testament to the people around me."
That praise included lofty words for running back Christian McCaffrey, who has spent the 2023 season rivalling Purdy as an MVP candidate.
“I learn a lot from him,†Purdy said. “I have all the confidence in the world in him. When he’s on the field, we’re a better team with him."
Purdy had similar praise for San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan, who again has the 49ers performing like a Super Bowl contender.
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"You’ve got a coach who has a great scheme and you need a guy who can go in and run the scheme, and vice versa," Purdy said. "You can have a great quarterback but you need some good plays and concepts to run.â€
Purdy finished fifth in passing yards (4,280) this season and third in TDs (31).
While some NFL QBs in recent history have deserved the game-manager label, Purdy has spent his second season proving that he's a winner and guiding the 49ers to the best record in the NFC.
He also led all players with 451,864 votes in fan balloting for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games.
When you put up huge stats like Purdy has, you're more than just a game manager.
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