{"id":912200,"date":"2026-06-07T06:36:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-07T06:36:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/912200\/"},"modified":"2026-06-07T06:36:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T06:36:27","slug":"alex-smith-gives-brutally-honest-answer-about-brock-purdy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/912200\/","title":{"rendered":"Alex Smith gives brutally honest answer about Brock Purdy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since Brock Purdy was drafted with the 262nd pick of the NFL Draft by the 49ers<\/a> in 2022, he has gone from Mr. Irrelevant to relevant<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On Saturday morning, former 49ers quarterback Alex Smith<\/a> was a guest on the Krueg Show, hosted by Larry Krueger. When Smith was asked about what makes Purdy stand out as a quarterback, he was quick to answer.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

\u201cSo prepared, and I think had such great perspective on the game, right? Like this is a guy that could already process and compartmentalize,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI think, naturally, he\u2019s a super mature kid. Like anyone that has been around Brock, I\u2019m blown away when I would talk to him for the first time I\u2019m like \u2018Are you 35 or 40?\u2019 he just seems so much older, he has such great perspective<\/a> on things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Alex<\/p>\n

Unlike Purdy, Smith was crowned as Mr. Relevant after he was selected first overall by the 49ers in the 2005 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

Smith played 14 years in the NFL, seven of them with the 49ers, including in 2011 when the 49ers went to the Super Bowl against the Baltimore Ravens<\/a>. Smith shared snaps at quarterback that year with Colin Kaepernick<\/a> and would eventually sit on the bench as Kaepernick would become the starting quarterback.<\/p>\n

\"Brock<\/p>\n

Similar to Kaepernick, Purdy found himself as San Francisco<\/a>\u2019s starting quarterback during his rookie year after Trey Lance<\/a> and Jimmy Garoppolo<\/a> went down with injuries.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

In his first season, Purdy led the 49ers to the NFC championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Purdy was unable to finish the game after exiting early due to an elbow injury, following a sack by defensive end Haason Reddick<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n

California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>
California Post Sports Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, X<\/a>
California Post Opinion<\/a>
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!<\/a>
California Post App: Download here!<\/a>
Home delivery: Sign up here!<\/a>Page Six Hollywood: <\/a>Sign up here!<\/a><\/p>\n

In his second season, Purdy had a Pro Bowl season, throwing for 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, leading the 49ers to a Super Bowl loss against the Kansas City Chiefs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is what I don\u2019t think people realize: this guy pushes the ball downfield. When you look at the down the field from the quarterback as far as attempts, completions, accuracy, I mean this guy leads the league in the NFL every year in every one of those categories,\u201d Smith said. \u201cThis is the guy that battles the game manager thing. Like he\u2019s just a product of the system. It just couldn\u2019t be further from the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Purdy threw for over 3,000 yards the next year, but didn\u2019t match his usual production last season, throwing for 2,167 yards and 20 touchdowns.<\/p>\n

But even in a down year, that was also filled with injuries in the 49ers locker room, Purdy led the team to a playoff victory over the Eagles and would eventually be eliminated by the Seahawks in the divisional round.<\/p>\n