49ers tight end George Kittle won’t be the ultimate decision maker on who will play quarterback for San Francisco next season, but his input will carry at least a little weight. Kittle in an appearance on Von Miller’s podcast said the starting job is Purdy’s to lose.
There’s a caveat that Purdy has to be healthy by training camp, which there’s some question about after the QB told a Bay Area radio station that there’s still a chance he requires more than a regular repair. Kittle offered his thoughts on other 49ers QBs, but made it clear he believes in Purdy after the 2022 seventh-round pick’s nine games as the top QB.
“I don’t know what’s going on with Jimmy. He’s a free agent so whatever happens there happens,” Kittle said. “Trey Lance still there. Trey unfortunately has not gotten a fair shot at being an NFL quarterback. He got a full rain game monsoon vs. the Bears, then he got hurt in his second game. So, Trey’s still got plenty of talent, he just needs to get out there and play.
“But you can’t talk about what Brock Purdy has– what he did. He’s fantastic. Our offense was operating at the highest it’s probably been since 2019. So, in my opinion, it’s Brock’s job to lose. But there will be competition since Brock’s gonna be out until training camp with his surgery. So, it’s gonna be interesting, but when you find a guy like that that can seamlessly jump in – I think it’s his job to lose.”
It’s not a huge surprise Kittle is a believer in Purdy. Not only did the team win every game Purdy was healthy for after Garoppolo went down with a broken foot, but the star tight end had perhaps his best stretch of play since 2018.
Kittle before Purdy took over in Week 13 had 36 catches for 450 yards and three touchdowns in nine games. In the nine games with Purdy under center, Kittle hauled in 34 receptions for 479 yards and seven touchdowns. His seven TDs with Purdy eclipsed his previous career-high for an entire season.
Ultimately the 49ers will be happy with whichever QB can win them a Super Bowl, but for now Purdy has the full-throated support of one of San Francisco’s most vocal offensive leaders.
