Former NFL head coach explains why Brock Purdy is just like Joe Montana

Former NFL head coach and current The 33rd Team contributor Mike Martz has visions of Hall of Famer Joe Montana pop into his mind when he watches San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy play. 

"Not just the physical style that he plays with," Martz said about Purdy during a recent appearance on San Francisco sports radio station KNBR. "His demeanor, how calm he is, how stoic he is, the confidence that he has, the humility he plays with. Everything kind of relates back to me, the way I remember Joe playing." 

Purdy received quite a bit of criticism after the 49ers fell to 5-3 via a three-game losing streak ahead of their bye. The 23-year-old then bounced back from those disappointing outings in a big way when he completed 19 of 26 passes for 296 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in this past Sunday's 34-3 blowout win at the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3). 

"He has such great confidence in the receivers and where they’re going to be," Martz continued regarding his evaluations of Purdy. "His anticipation is outstanding with these receivers. There’s a great connection and great feel for them." 

The 49ers may or may not have reached out to retired living legend Tom Brady this past offseason when Purdy was recovering from surgery he needed to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. San Francisco sticking with the final pick of the 2022 draft has worked out well for everyone involved. ESPN stats show Purdy enters Week 11 leading the league among qualified players with a 76.4 adjusted QBR, a 109.9 passer rating and an average of 9.3 yards per pass attempt on the season.  

"You don’t see him with his head on a swivel looking for something because he’s confused, that’s just not going to happen," Martz added about Purdy. 

Purdy and the 49ers next host the 4-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday. As of Wednesday afternoon, oddschecker listed the Niners as 11.5-point favorites for that matchup.