In his first full season as the San Francisco 49ers’ starting quarterback, Brock Purdy has turned a lot of heads. He’s played like a legitimate MVP candidate and might be the reason why San Francisco eventually wins its first Super Bowl championship in roughly three decades.
And according to Jerry Rice — unquestionably the greatest receiver ever to play football — Purdy is so good that he deserves to be compared to former 49ers’ Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana. I mean … wow.
During the latest episode of The Warner House, a podcast hosted by 49ers All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, Rice discussed what makes Purdy so special. The NFL’s all-time leading receiver went as far as to say that Purdy has the same exact nerves of steel that Montana once did en route to winning four Super Bowls with the 49ers in the 1980s.
You can find this glowing endorsement starting at 22:42 in the video below:
Rice probably isn’t wrong in his assessment. Even on a loaded team rife with star players, Purdy already has a 42-11 career touchdown-to-interception ratio. He’s already got two playoff wins. And he’s one of the league’s most efficient quarterbacks. Full stop.
At this stage, all that’s probably left for Purdy to accomplish is capturing a Super Bowl crown, which admittedly feels inevitable on the best team in professional football.
This was how Twitter reacted to Rice's comparison of Purdy to Montana
Y’all say what you want.
When the 🐐 speaks, I listen. https://t.co/hUiT7pEqsH
— JakeTheSnake (@TheRealMcKoy85) December 19, 2023
Brock does remind me of a Young Joe Montana. Very similar traits. https://t.co/WdvXmtzEFr
— Brett / 49ers🏈🏉🔥 (@Brett49ers) December 19, 2023
The greatest football player ever has spoken. Discussion over https://t.co/rWqiwnbtQ5
— Raf (@HeisRAF) December 20, 2023
I said it was hyperbole earlier in the season & this offseason
It's starting not to be anymore
. https://t.co/rAV6znMuM8— Ted H🎙TED TALKS BALL (@TedH6) December 19, 2023
You got the GOAT saying Purdy reminds him of Montana & y’all still think purdy aint MVP???? https://t.co/CNu03oYGrw
— adrian (@adriaan_7) December 19, 2023
The Goat has spoken https://t.co/nH8KyLVYad
— Jerm (@IamJerm24) December 19, 2023
There is a light in Jerry Rice's eyes when he is talking about this that just can't be faked. Does, he think Purdy is for real? Yes, yes he does. https://t.co/Hjgbz1anSo
— Michael Rally (@Michael_RA) December 19, 2023
Is this a joke? Has everyone just forgot what he looked like when Deebo was hurt? I’ll remind you, they lost 3 in a row and he looked awful. He’s not even the best player on his team. https://t.co/CpEs6IrcIE
— Robbie Patterson (@RobbiePIII) December 20, 2023
This isn't the first time I've heard this from someone who either watched or played with Montana. https://t.co/BgjNi06zmT
— Nick Martin (@themicknartin) December 19, 2023
