Former NFL punter and current ESPN host Pat McAfee had reason to root against the 49ers on Monday night, having spent his entire playing career with their opponent, the Indianapolis Colts.

Just hours after San Francisco finished off a 48-27 win at Lucas Oil Stadium, however, all McAfee could do was gush about 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s five-touchdown performance.

“What I took away from last night: Brock Purdy is remarkable,” McAfee said on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” Tuesday. “Obviously, [the 49ers are] paying him $200 million for a reason.”

Purdy was indeed impressive in San Francisco’s fifth straight victory. He completed 25 of 34 passes for 295 yards and became the first 49ers quarterback since Steve Young in Super Bowl XXIX to throw for five touchdowns in a game.

McAfee, who attended Monday night’s contest, described how he gained greater appreciation for Purdy’s play after watching the 49ers quarterback in person.

“Watching him deal all night was insane,” McAfee said. “Because you don’t really realize the size of Brock Purdy until you see him. He is not tall. I would say what Brock Purdy’s able to do is so much more impressive because of how he is built. He is built like an ox. He’s thick, he’s obviously an incredible athlete. But there are plenty of times he can’t see a damn thing, and he is just throwing it to a spot … and every time seemed to be right on the money.”

McAfee also offered something of a mea culpa, having questioned Purdy’s job security after backup Mac Jones led San Francisco to a string of wins earlier in the NFL season.

“What that offense looks like with [Purdy] at quarterback as opposed to anyone else—it’s crazy that I was even potentially leaning into a conversation that maybe Mac Jones would be the quarterback for this team going forward,” McAfee said. “[Purdy’s] outrageous.”

The numbers back McAfee up. The 49ers average exactly 30 points per game when Purdy starts this season, compared to 22.8 when Mac Jones is under center. After Monday night’s performance, Purdy also is the highest-rated passer in the NFL since his Week 11 return from a turf toe injury.

“[The Colts’] corners certainly had a long night,” McAfee said. “But I think a lot of corners are going to have problems with the way Brock Purdy is spinning it.”

Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast