Purdy challenges Garoppolo’s hierarchy

Brock Purdy has earned a reputation as a leader in the 49ers after quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was sidelined with a broken left foot. But here the question is who should finish the job and lead the team to the Super Bowl? and even Who should get the starting tag next season? There is no longer any doubt that Purdy can do it, but Jimmy’s hierarchy weighs heavily.

The rookie has handled the pressure well over the past two months and it will be hard to knock him off the map next season. In the tough offensive game against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Round, Purdy excelled at quarterback and showed that he can run the offense. His consistent play has allowed coach Kyle Shanahan to field an offense that’s evenly split between running and passing. And that’s probably how the 49ers should proceed against the Eagles on Sunday. Garoppolo is not expected to return to practice this week, but the offseason will bring him new contract offers as he becomes a free agent.

However, if the 49ers make it to the Super Bowl, the club will have a decision to make: Should Garoppolo or veteran Josh Johnson serve as Purdy’s backup?

The quarterback numbers are pretty comparable. Garoppolo and Purdy finished the year 2021 with five-game winning streaks. Their predicted passing yards were separated by just 0.1 yards this year, so Shanahan didn’t change target depth with Purdy instead.

Garoppolo completed 8 of 28 passes of 20-plus yards for the 49ers, with one touchdown and one interception. Purdy, by contrast, was 5-for-13 for four touchdowns and one interception. Three of those touchdowns came on the left side of the field, qualifying Purdy much better there. Purdy begins to differentiate himself in the middle game. He has completed 31 of 39 passes in the 10-19 yard range, with two interceptions and three touchdowns. Garoppolo was 37 of 59 with seven touchdowns and two interceptions.

But what managers and coaches will have to figure out: Who gives the 49ers the best chance to win?

If the 49ers win the NFC Championship Game they will move into a tie for first place with the most postseason wins of any franchise in NFL history.

The record for most postseason wins currently belongs to the Patriots, who have won 37 postseason games in their history (30 of them with QB Tom Brady). The 49ers currently have 36 postseason wins, tied with four teams for the second most postseason wins in franchise history; the Cowboys, Packers and Steelers.

If the 49ers beat the Eagles for their 37th postseason win, they’ll try to win their 38th in the Super Bowl. That would also be their sixth SB win in franchise history, which would tie the Steelers and Patriots for the most in history.

deportes@eleconomista.mx