Video: Fred Warner Trolls Brock Purdy Haters After 49ers’ Win vs. Lions in Playoffs

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 29, 2024

Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner took a thinly veiled shot at the remaining skeptics of quarterback Brock Purdy after the team’s 34-31 win over the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game.

Warner jokingly said Purdy “managed the heck out of that game” before earnestly adding the second-year signal-caller is “the reason we gonna have a chance to win us a ring.”

49ers on NBCS @NBCS49ers”Heck of a game manager, wow. Managed the heck out of that game.”

Fred Warner on Brock Purdy 😂 pic.twitter.com/R2K1K94knT

In his 4th & 1 show last month, 2015 MVP Cam Newton lumped Purdy into a group of QBs he described as “game managers.” As Purdy was on his way to a four-interception night in a 33-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day, Newton alluded to his past comments:

Cameron 1 Newton @CameronNewton🧐🧐🧐

To be fair to the former Carolina Panthers star, he wasn’t the only person who has questioned whether Purdy is this good. Such is life when you were the last selection of the 2022 draft and a QB thriving in a Kyle Shanahan-led offense.

San Francisco’s playoff run is providing a pretty firm response to the discourse. Purdy went 20-of-31 for 267 yards, one touchdown and an interception against the Lions. He also ran for 48 yards on five carries, with his mobility creating serious problems for Detroit’s defense.

NFL @NFLBrock Purdy keeps on doing damage with his legs!

📺: #DETvsSF on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/lPi4pqPzJT

Next Gen Stats @NextGenStatsBrock Purdy generated a career-high +10.6 EPA on scrambles, picking up a total of six first downs.

Purdy on Scrambles (NFC Championship)

🔹 Rushing: 3 carries, 52 yards, 3 first downs
🔹 Passing: 3/4, 41 yards, 3 first downs

During NFL Countdown on Sunday before the conference championship, ESPN’s Alex Smith self-deprecatingly called himself the “unofficial president of the game manager club” and added Purdy “not allowed in” because he has ascended beyond that status.

Maybe the clock will strike midnight for Purdy at some point. The NFL is a reactive league, and the longer he plays, the more opposing teams will be able to diagnose and exploit whatever flaws he has.

For now, we’re about to find out in two weeks whether he’s good enough to lead the Niners to a title.