Kyle Shanahan, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, praised rookie quarterback Brock Purdy for his poise under center, which he attributes to seeing one of the NFL’s best pass rushers in practice.
QB Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers talks about how Nick Bosa helped him in the pocket
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Purdy faced a lot of pressure from the Washington Commanders in the 49ers’ 37-20 victory at Levi’s Stadium on Saturday.
Nonetheless, facing top-tier pass rushers like Chase Young, Jonathan Allen, and Montez Sweat didn’t scare Purdy, who had to work against potential NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa every week when he was the scout-team quarterback.
“Honestly, it was frustrating at times, just like dropping back and seeing Nick right in my face and having to make a move almost every play,” Purdy told reporters following the victory, which made him 3-0 as the 49ers’ starting quarterback this season. “It [does] help, like in terms of keeping my eyes down the field, there’s a pass rush coming, there’s guys swiping for the ball, you know, Nick is breathing down my neck almost every play. So, it definitely did help. It helped with my pocket presence and awareness and things like that.”
“And then, obviously, you get to a defense like today with a great front and that kind of stuff. It’s just real, like the pass rush, climbing the pocket, all that kind of stuff. So, big credit to all the guys at practice leading up to this point.”
While helping Purdy prepare, Bosa, who leads the NFL with 17.5 sacks this season, observed how the Iowa State product handles pressure in the pocket.
“We can’t really pester quarterbacks in practice. But I’m super impressed with how he’s matured so quickly, and I think it helps that he started four years in college,” Bosa told reporters. “For a rookie to come in and have that command, everybody’s got his back, obviously.”
Purdy will try to stay calm in the pocket against another quality pass rusher, Maxx Crosby, and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday.
Purdy has been sacked four times in three starts and seven times overall, so maintaining his cool and making quick decisions will be critical.
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