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Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
The San Francisco 49ers' $265 million quarterback has not gotten off to a good start at mandatory minicamp practice ... but it isn't all bad news quite yet.
The San Francisco 49ers' $265 million quarterback has not gotten off to a good start at mandatory minicamp practice ... but it isn't all bad news quite yet. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It's June. The San Francisco 49ers have only had one day of mandatory minicamp. Advertisement Some will understand that players are using this time to knock off rust from the offseason. But others will overanalyze each repetition and judge the good and bad, however major or minor. Some of the bad, so far? Quarterback Brock Purdy, the Niners' new highest-paid player with a contract averaging a $53 million salary signed a few weeks ago. Reports out of San Fran's camp say that Purdy threw three interceptions during the team portion of Tuesday's practice. 49ers fans may want to cover their eyes and ears, but this struggle could be defended as it's something we've seen before. "All three passes were forced either to receivers who weren't open or spots where defenders were waiting," beat writer Grant Cohn explained. Advertisement "This is how Purdy practices. He often throws interceptions because he's trying to figure out what he can get away with during real games. Plus, he's not a great practice player. He's a gamer and a playmaker who performs his best when the bullets are live because his ability to scramble and buy time is his best attribute. And he's not afraid to let it rip, which is why he throws so many picks." There's some honesty both ways here. Throwing three interceptions during a not-so-intense practice isn't very good ... but this behavior from Purdy is sometimes unavoidable in practice. He thrives on the improvisation that can only be felt in game environments. During these set programs, he doesn't have the chance to make a play out of nothing when there isn't a strong rush. So, it may not be abnormal to see him forcing tough throws even when there is something easier in an attempt to replicate that difficulty he thrives in. Advertisement That no-fear mentality could still be looked at as a positive. It's better to have a quarterback who is confident in his ability and decision-making rather than passive. As long as this isn't an every-down occurrence, 49ers fans don't have much to stress about. However, with how the 49ers' season went last year, it makes sense why fans might be skeptical. Last season, Purdy saw a considerable drop off in passing numbers. He threw for less yards and touchdowns and his completion percentage lowered from 69.4 to 65. He threw just one more interception last season than the year before (12 in 2024 to 11 in 2023). Health played a major factor in the 49ers disappointing 6-11 season, with Purdy himself managing to play with a bum shoulder toward the end of the year. He was inactive for the Niners' Week 10 and Week 18 games. Advertisement Outside of receiver Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco is expected to welcome more luck on that front this season. He's hoping for a bounce-back season, and while this was a rough day at the office, Brock Purdy - at just 25 years old - hasn't lost his Pro-Bowl ability. There are plenty of practices until Week 1 for San Francisco's star signal-caller to get his feet under him. Related: Brandon Aiyuk Attendance Brings Update at 49ers Minicamp Related: 49ers 'Balling' Rookie Impressing Brock Purdy This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
49ers No. 1 Offseason Storyline Could Be Bad News
49ers No. 1 Offseason Storyline Could Be Bad News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The No. 1 offseason storyline for the San Francisco 49ers this year could be devastating for a team that needs a rebound year in 2025. Advertisement San Francisco posted just six wins and a 6-11 season last year, and missed out on the playoffs entirely while finishing last place in the NFC West. Hopes of a resurgent 2025 are strong with the newly signed Brock Purdy and a hopefully healthy Christian McCaffrey. But so far through the offseason, reports are that McCaffrey doesn't look right. Grant Cohn of SI thinks this all started after McCaffrey's fumble in the Super Bowl. "McCaffrey fumbled in the red zone during the opening drive of the game. He went on to average just 3.6 yards per carry against the Chiefs," Cohn wrote. "Then last season, when he finally returned from bilateral Achilles tendonitis, he averaged a mere 4.0 yards per carry and never ran faster than 17.4 miles per hour. Then, he tore his PCL after just four games. This past week at OTAs, McCaffrey still didn't seem that have the fifth gear that made him so special when he was younger. Advertisement "He used to reach his top speed effortlessly -- now, he has to strain and drive his knees harder." Garrett Podell of CBS Sports noticed the same thing. "In 2023, three-time Pro Bowl running back McCaffrey was the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year, and the 49ers reached overtime of the Super Bowl before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs," writes Podell. "In 2024, McCaffrey played four games while dealing with bilateral Achilles tendonitis and a PCL injury in his knee, and the 49ers went 6-11. Those 11 losses were tied for second by a team in the season after a Super Bowl loss ever. "How much the soon-to-be 29-year-old running back participates in mandatory minicamp and how he looks will be something to watch because San Francisco's 2025 hopes may rest on his banged-up body." Advertisement It could be really bad news for the team and its fans, unless McCaffrey is just taking it easy this offseason in anticipation of giving it a full go in 2025. Let's let this thing play out a little before we jump to any conclusions. Related: 49ers Save $5.6 Million with 2 Post-June Cuts Related: 49ers First-Round Pick Labeled Obvious 'Rookie to Watch' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
