ESPN Analyst Alex Smith Defends 49ers QB Brock Purdy: “Not Just a Game Manager”
ESPN analyst Alex Smith has had enough of critics labeling San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy as barely a game manager. The retired QB-turned-NFL analyst defended the former Mr. Irrelevant in a three-minute rant ahead of the 49ers’ 34-31 win over the Detroit Lions.
Smith, 39, seemingly hit back at former NFL star Cam Newton, who fueled the “game manager” narrative regarding Purdy last month. “Listen, Sam, I gotta be honest with you. [I’ve been] frustrated all week with all this talk that Brock Purdy’s just a guy,” he told ESPN host Sam Ponder. “That he’s just average and, certainly, just a product of this great situation. And it couldn’t be further from the truth.”
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Defending Brock Purdy: ESPN Analyst Alex Smith’s Passionate Words
Smith then broke down game film from San Francisco’s playoff win over the Green Bay Packers, showing Purdy launching a laser to wide receiver Juan Jennings on a 3rd-and-10 in the fourth quarter. The former No. 1 overall pick emphasized the 49ers quarterback’s courage to make the throw to Jennings, covered by three defensive backs, despite facing pressure in the pocket. “I can tell you, as the unofficial president of the game manager’s club, he’s not allowed in,” the ESPN analyst said. “You don’t get to make plays.”
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Brock Purdy’s Field Vision on Full Display: Alex Smith’s Analysis
Smith then showed a clip of Purdy running out of the pocket and pointing at Brandon Aiyuk before connecting with the 49ers on a 35-yard TD in a Week 17 win over the Washington Commanders. He said the play put Purdy’s field vision on display – as well as his ability to elevate players around him. “That kid is the best player on the playground right there, right?” Smith said. “But he’s just running a system? What system is that?”
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Disproving Critics: Alex Smith Debunks “Lazy Narratives” Surrounding Brock Purdy
Footage of Purdy pulling off a left-handed drop and then sending a laser to Aiyuk, in between four defenders, for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14 followed. Smith claimed a “dink and dunk guy” – a QB relying on a short passing game – wouldn’t be able to set up his wideout for a score in that situation. “Again, all these narratives that we’ve heard, they couldn’t be more wrong,” he said. “I think it’s lazy analysis, and again, it doesn’t make sense when a guy who’s as young as he is, he’s 6-foot-nothing, all his measurables don’t jump off the screen, and it doesn’t make sense to people. So, they revert to these narratives that, again, couldn’t be more untrue.”
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ESPN Analysts Unite: Dan Orlovsky Joins Alex Smith in Defense of Brock Purdy
Fellow ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky joined Smith in slamming Purdy’s critics on Monday, clashing with Shannon Sharpe as he did so in a heated First Take segment. The 49ers passer threw for 267 yards, a touchdown, and an interception while adding 48 yards in the run game to lead San Francisco to a comeback win against the Lions.
Relevant Keywords: Dan Orlovsky, Alex Smith, Brock Purdy, Shannon Sharpe, First Take, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions