by All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner watched Brock Purdy help the 49ers to two deep playoff runs in his first two NFL seasons, but the superstar defender is convinced the young quarterback will be even better in the future.
During an interview on Up & Adams on Friday, Warner was asked about the hype surrounding Purdy’s interceptions in training camp. Not only was Warner quick to dismiss the notion that interceptions in practice had any significance, but the star linebacker also had high praise for Purdy and made a bold prediction about the quarterback’s NFL future.
“From day one, I have been a fan of Brock Purdy and I always will be,” Warner told Adams. “I think he is one of the best in the league and I think soon he will The best – hands down. People want to make something out of practice interceptions and all that other stuff… listen, you’ve obviously never been in the NFL if you’re writing stories about practice interceptions. Like Deebo [Samuel] mentioned, he’s going up against one of the best defenses in the league, so we’re not worried about that.”
Since his breakthrough in 2022, Purdy has won over 80 percent of his regular season games and led the 49ers to the brink of a championship in each of his first two seasons in the league.
Purdy finished fourth in the 2023 NFL MVP voting and led the league in passer rating (113.0), yards per attempt (9.6) and QBR (72.8) while leading San Francisco to the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Purdy instantly endeared himself to his 49ers teammates and coaches with his tireless work ethic and attention to detail. Since taking the reins as San Francisco’s starting quarterback, he has made a name for himself on the field with a 21-6 record (including the playoffs).
Warner was selected to the All-Pro first team three times and is widely considered the benchmark linebacker in the NFL due to his ability to embarrass the league’s elite quarterbacks.
According to Warner, Purdy is already part of this league of quarterbacks, and the 24-year-old’s path to becoming number 1 is in sight.
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