Brock Purdy quiets critics with San Francisco 49ers' comeback: 'Heck of a game manager'
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has seemed to receive more than his share of criticism on social media and by the media during his team's NFL Playoffs run, with many people labeling him a "game manager."
Purdy quieted a lot of his critics, at least for now, with his performance in the 49ers' 34-31 comeback victory against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, helping San Francisco earn a trip to Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas against the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 11.
Purdy recovered from a rough first half, which saw his team trail 24-7, to lead the 49ers to 27 unanswered points to open the second half. The Arizona native and Gilbert Perry High alum made some clutch throws and extended some drives with key scrambles to help San Francisco get the comeback victory.
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Social media reacted to Brock Purdy's 'game manager' performance against the Lions:
Brock Purdy will become just the 8th QB in NFL history to start a Super Bowl within the first two seasons of his career.
Quite a journey for Purdy.— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 29, 2024
You thought last week was a classic?
Brock Purdy took a page out of Joe Montana AND Steve Young's playbook to spearhead one of the great playoff comebacks in NFL history. That was a dizzying second half, which matched the 49ers' largest NFC Championship Game comeback ever (17…— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) January 29, 2024
If there was any question, Brock Purdy is cementing his position as an elite QB in this league during this NFC title game — he has delivered just as much with legs as his arm during this epic 49ers' comeback, and — most importantly — he's delivered when it's mattered most
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) January 29, 2024
Brock Purdy with 27 unanswered for this 49er offense to put them in the Super Bowl. Not bad for a game manager.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 29, 2024
I still have a hard time believing there really are Brock Purdy haters. Twitter says there are. They are irrelevant. He is not.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) January 29, 2024
Brock Purdy is such an amazing game manager. Those huge scramble plays he managed so well. Those great balls he managed to throw well. 🤡 world! The kid can freaking play!
— danny woodhead (@danny__woodhead) January 29, 2024
Brock Purdy is now 21-5 as a starter.
In his second year starting, he’s going to a SUPER BOWL.
Keep your trash Brock Purdy takes to yourself!!!! https://t.co/r58iQ0ZUI5— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) January 29, 2024
Brock Purdy:
Down 7 in the divisional round in the pouring rain- No problem.
Down 17 in a conference championship game- No problem.
Hate Brock Purdy all you want- IT’S NO PROBLEM!!!#FTTB— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) January 29, 2024
Former #49ers QB Alex Smith is a real one for his support of Brock Purdy 🤝
“As the unofficial President of the Game Manager’s Club, he’s not allowed in.”
pic.twitter.com/aqK0lXvocj— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) January 28, 2024
Every hater. Every pundit. Every expert. Said things. Said he couldn’t. Said he’s not good enough. Said he’s a game manager. Said he’s not great. Said he’s average. Said he’s not like the rest.
WELL BROCK PURDY JUST SILENCED ALL. BROCK PURDY & #49ERS are going to the SUPER BOWL pic.twitter.com/rP1r5bTmcy— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) January 29, 2024
Wait…. Did Brock Purdy make clutch plays with his arm and legs to help his team in the NFC championship. Epic comeback? Wait I thought?!!!!! Game manager……
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) January 29, 2024
Wait a minute… Brock Purdy to the Super Bowl?! Game manager? No Game Winner! Catch me on @undisputed. If you are a Brock Purdy hater make sure you turn away!
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) January 29, 2024
Someone ask cam Newton if that Brock Purdy scramble was fit for a game manager or a game changer
🤷🏽♂️— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) January 29, 2024
Mr. Irrelevant to Super Bowl starting QB in 2 years is crazy man…
Give that man Brock Purdy his flowers.— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 29, 2024
Brock Purdy isn’t just a GAME MANAGER. He’s always been special.
Program Changer at Perry High School in Arizona. Program Changer at Iowa State. He isn’t sneaky athletic, he is ATHLETIC. He has proven he can CHANGE THE GAME, is 21-5 as an NFL Starter and is now Super Bowl Bound. pic.twitter.com/dWuba7Mr3G— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 29, 2024
"Heck of a game manager, wow. Managed the heck out of that game."
Fred Warner on Brock Purdy 😂 pic.twitter.com/R2K1K94knT— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) January 29, 2024
Brock Purdy's rookie year: Conf title game (hurt in 1st quarteR)
Brock Purdy's 2nd year: Super Bowl
If he wins - it's everyone else
If he loses - well see, Brock stinks
Remember when Tom Brady won his first couple Super Bowls? Nothing special, game manager https://t.co/By4wmUTY8B— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) January 29, 2024
BROCK PURDY WITH ANOTHER TYPICAL GAME MANAGER RUN 🫣
pic.twitter.com/nUalw55jQQ— Dylan Powell (@PowellAnalytics) January 29, 2024
Purdy looks like much more than a "game manager" right now. He's also just one win away from being a "Super Bowl Champion."
VOTE: Is Brock Purdy more of a "game manager" or "game changer"? (Debate about #49ers QB rages: https://t.co/c6EW6xpPyH) #FTTB
— Jeremy Cluff (@Jeremy_Cluff) February 1, 2024
More: Brock Purdy's San Francisco 49ers teammates, media defend QB amid ongoing criticism
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Brock Purdy quiets critics with 49ers' comeback win vs. Lions
