SANTA CLARA – Amid the regimented practices of training camp, 49ers’ quarterback Brock Purdy doesn’t go off-script much.
So when can he work on the art of improvisation – an aspect that paid off in the NFC Championship Game and an area he could exploit more in his third season?
On Sunday, Purdy stayed after practice and threw passes on the run to Guillermo Escalante, one of the equipment staff’s sure-handed members. “I wanted to get after it in terms of staying on the move, being accurate on throws and trying to do better,” Purdy said.
The 49ers’ preseason opens this Saturday in Nashville against the Tennessee Titans, and Purdy said he hasn’t talked with coach Kyle Shanahan about whether he’ll play in a third straight preseason. “It depends on how practices go, my reps and how I’m feeling,” Purdy said.
When reps go askew in camp with pass protection issues, Purdy can work on the critical art of improvisation. That aspect paid off in the NFC Championship Game win over Detroit and it’s an area he can exploit more in his third season.
“Once you get in the season and a game, things break down. That’s part of football, going off schedule and finding guys in scramble drills,” Purdy said. “When you’re in practice, you’re in scripted plays, you want to be on time and go through progression. But when something breaks down, I’m still trying to treat it as a live rep.
“If you just sit there and take a sack — which you might do in a game — but in practice, let’s try to find something to work on.”
Quarterbacks coach Brian Griese had a surprising answer earlier this offseason when asked about his favorite plays Purdy made amid last season’s franchise-record 4,280 passing yards.
“The ones that stand out,” Griese began, “are where we might design a play for one thing to happen, and Brock might miss a read where the ball is supposed to go, and on the sideline, we’re like, ‘Oh man, he missed it. That play is dead.’ Then all of a sudden he’s moving around, he’s extending.”
Such as his touchdown passes to Brandon Aiyuk early in road wins at Jacksonville and Washington. “We remember those because you have a low – ‘We missed it. It’s third down.’ — and then we have a high,” Griese added.
Purdy’s scrambles in the NFC Championship Game comeback over the Detroit Lions are also epic examples. A 21-yard, third-and-4 run to the Lions’ 28-yard line kept alive a touchdown drive in the final minutes of the 34-31 win that sent them to Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII.
Purdy’s most active completion Sunday saw him reverse field on a bootleg before throwing across the field and threading a pass to Ronnie Bell at the 10-yard line against Fred Warner’s tight coverage. Purdy was 12-of-14 in full-team drills — a stat line expected from a 2023 Pro Bowler and MVP finalist, but one who wasn’t throwing Sunday to Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel or Christian McCaffrey.
Purdy said the offense is “a lot more smooth” for him, that he can envision quicker plays once they’re radioed in by coach Kyle Shanahan. Yet he still seeks ways to “find that edge, to be uncomfortable” and create urgency in practices, knowing games never go easy.
As for a rash of interceptions last week — three on Tuesday, four of his final five passes Wednesday — Purdy didn’t dismiss them: “Obviously I get pretty mad at myself, in terms of, ‘Dude you turned the ball over and can’t do that.’ It’s finding a way to grow mentally. … I’m not just out there trying to throw the ball up and acting like it’s camp and I don’t care, because I do.”
Purdy’s efficient passing and continued success will help him secure a contract extension at season’s end, predictably at a top-of-the-market rate between $50 million and $60 million annually. Set to make just $985,000 in salary this season, Purdy’s supplemented his income this offseason with multiple endorsements (John Deere, Toyota, Pioneer Seed, Recover sports drink).
“I don’t make a whole lot … I make a good amount playing football. But with the lifestyle and privacy for my wife and family outside of football, we’ve got to make money somehow and marketing is a great opportunity for us.,” Purdy said.
Purdy’s financial motives are of the humbler variety, such as ensuring security at home, flying first class, or even ordering the pricier ride-share option. “With privacy comes expenses, and it’s little more expensive with that lifestyle,” Purdy added.
RUNNING BACK ROTATION
Elijah Mitchell did not practice, a day after most of his touches came early in team drills before reps were divided up to Jordan Mason and Cody Schrader. Christian McCaffrey went through offensive warmups Sunday then observed Mason, Schrader and Patrick Taylor handle the running back chores in 11-on-11 action.
GRAY LANDS HARD
Wide receiver Danny Gray, who sat out last season with a preseason shoulder injury, landed hard on his right shoulder and appeared in pain. Gray tried to catch a high, deep throw from Joshua Dobbs against cornerback Ambry Thomas.
SAMUEL RESTS
After going all-out through the first nine practices, Samuel got a well-earned off day, part of which he spent talking next to Nick Bosa during team drills.
HOLDOUT UPDATES
Aiyuk continues to show up and work out on his own behind the scenes. But he remains out practice amid a contract stalemate and only watches sessions from afar.
Left tackle Trent Williams, having not reported to camp, has accrued $500,000 in fines at the daily $50,000 rate.
PRACTICE OBSERVATIONS
More drops happened this practice than perhaps any other in camp. The culprits included Mason, Frank Darby and Mason Pline, as well as interception-seeking defenders Dee Winters and Tayler Hawkins. … Tight end George Kittle’s recovery from core-muscle surgery looks on track. He made multiple catches and also fared OK as a blocker, including a one-on-one matchup with Bosa. … Wide receiver Ronnie Bell made multiple impressive catches, including one over the middle on a high throw by Dobbs. … Tight end Cameron Latu returned to action after sitting out Saturday.
