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Nick Wagner, ESPN staff writer
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Giving some time to reflect on what was statistically the worst performance of his young career, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy came away from Monday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens with some valuable lessons.
On Wednesday, Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said the biggest issue for Purdy wasn't the turnovers themselves — Shanahan has repeatedly said the first interception was a huge mistake but set up the other three for unfortunate fumbles — as the way Purdy played afterward. they.
“It's hard to play a lot of football after you have four picks, especially when you're down against that type of defense,” Shanahan said. “I think that was the best experience for him. How you feel about that, knowing what happened, knowing why it happened, and you still got to go out there and play. I think that's the best experience you can get. From that game.”
In fact, when Purdy met with Bay Area media on Thursday, he co-signed Shanahan's assessment and offered further insight into his mindset after setting a career-high with four interceptions, the last of which helped turn a four-point halftime deficit into an 18-point one. The point margin was just over three minutes into the third quarter.
Since the Niners had never been in a situation like this before with Purdy at quarterback, it was a new scenario for him to deal with. Although there was still plenty of time on the clock, Purdy said he found himself struggling internally between trying to get back into the game with big plays but also worrying about turning it around again.
“It's not just about being in the right frame of mind as a quarterback, having the aggressive trigger to make big throws, but also, shoot, you don't want to turn the ball over again,” Purdy said. “It's a bad state of mind. But that's the learning experience of stepping back and saying every play has a life of its own. You've got to take it one play at a time and not try to win the game. “A game by a few big plays. And when I think that way, I wasn't in the right frame of mind toward the end when we try to get back into it. This is the learning experience.”
On multiple occasions against the Ravens, including the first interception, Purdy had a check-in option but instead tried to squeeze a pass into a tight window to receiver Deebo Samuel.
But Purdy has also succeeded all season by striking a balance between knowing when to let him break and take layups. That's why none of his teammates seem overly concerned about Purdy's ability to bounce back this week against Washington's leaders and beyond.
“I'm not going to tell Brock how to play the position,” George Kittle said. “I trust his instincts. He's done a great job so far the last two seasons. He's done a great job his whole career, so regardless of whether he wants to play quarterback, I'm OK with it.”
Shanahan rewatched the game with Purdy on Tuesday, and the two discussed where they could have done better. Shanahan and Purdy discussed why each cycle occurred, but Shanahan also told the quarterback that the tape showed a player going through a tough game with normal practice points as he would any other week.
Despite his struggles Monday night, Purdy still ranks first in the NFL in QBR (71.7) and yards per attempt (9.7) and second in touchdown passes (29) and passing yards (4,050). Likewise, the 49ers remain in control of their playoff position and can clinch the top seed in the NFC this week with a win coupled with losses to the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles.
“It was hard to watch, but it was good for me,” Purdy said. “I had to learn it, and I'm glad it happened now.
The only thing that won't stop Purdy from getting a chance to bounce back against the Chiefs is the left shoulder bite he suffered in the fourth quarter of Monday's loss.
This was the second game in a row that Purdy left the game with this injury, and he did not return against the Ravens, and Sam Darnold took his place. Purdy said Thursday he doesn't think there's any concern about the shoulder in the long term.
“It was good,” Purdy said. “I've had a lot of treatment and everything worked for the pain in the whole shoulder area and the trap area… I'll be good in this match.”
