QB Brock Purdy Press Conference

QB Brock Purdy

Press Conference – September 12, 2024

San Francisco 49ers

Obviously, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores does a lot of blitzing and different looks they like to throw at you. What do you remember about last year and how can that kind of help you this week?

“I don’t know, he does a lot of different looks and different things and makes you think that it’s going to be one thing and it can be that or go to something completely different. And so, he does a good job with that. I think one of the best in the league with just disguises in general. And so, last year we had obviously a whole game against him and got some really good looks from him and some tough situations that he puts you in, especially as a quarterback trying to make a decision and stuff. It was a good experience last year and there’s some things that I had to learn from. I had a year of film and stuff and this week of practice so we’re excited for it.”

What about the atmosphere last year? How does that stadium stack up with Seattle and some other loud buildings that you’ve been in?

“At the end especially, it was a tight game and everything and that place was rocking. For the most part, the whole game, they were like that. Some loyal fans that they’ve got in Minnesota. It’s a dome, so it just gets loud in there and they bring it. It’s an environment where you want to go in and try to obviously do your thing to put up points and score to create momentum and keep them away from being so loud. But, it’s a great environment to play in.”

How does not having RB Christian McCaffrey out there on the field change the way opposing teams defend you guys?

“I think just with Christian, especially there’s certain plays, third-down where we like to get him out and throw to him and stuff like that. And so there’s a lot of teams that can either double team him and then open up some other guys within our offense. And so that’s something that we sort of have to remember. That’s a huge aspect, teams always have to account for him and have a whole plan for Christian. He’s the best in the league at it. And so when he is not out there, I think it sort of not necessarily simplifies things for defenses, but that’s a component that they don’t have to really handle and then they can focus on [TE] George [Kittle] and [WR Brandon Aiyuk] B.A. and [WR] Deebo [Samuel]. So that’s something that for us that we have to understand. And as a quarterback, I always like having that because I think it does open up other guys.”

What stood out for you as far as things you need to clean up specifically coming off of Monday night going forward?

“Yeah, I think there’s certain movements in the pocket and stuff that I saw like early on in the game where I feel like I could have been better. It sort of threw me off some reads and that live action and feeling of a real pass rush and having to make smaller movements within the pocket and then deliver the ball on time. I feel like there were some reps in the game early on where I was pretty hard on myself, and I need to be better at. So that’s something that I’m sort of honing in on and hopefully I can be better at this week.”

Last time you went to Minnesota, you didn’t have Deebo, but you also didn’t have T Trent Williams at left tackle. How much nicer is it going back there and how necessary is it when that line has to do silent counts and stuff?

“Yeah, it’s tough for the offensive line just being on a silent count. They’re waiting for the guy next to them to move and that’s when they’re in their pass set or run blocking and all that kind of stuff. So it’s tough. And so for them in general, that’s a whole challenge in itself. Not having Trent and Deebo, like that was a whole component to the game and our game plan with the things that we can do with Deebo and having that out of the equation last year was tough. And then obviously Trent and his experience at left tackle, not having him within the run game and pass game and stuff. But I think [OL] Jaylon Moore jumped in and did a great job. So I’m not taking any credit away from him. He did a great job. But having Trent back in and just his dominance and force, you feel it. So to have him back will be great, Deebo as well. Having him going like full-speed and being able to do everything that he does, I’m really excited for. So I feel like for the most part everybody’s healthy, it feels good, and we’re excited to take on the challenge.”

With K Jake Moody going into his second year, his rookie year he was replacing kind of a legend around here. He was a third-round Draft pick. Do you see a change in him and more confidence in him? Do you have more confidence in him now?

“Yeah, 100-percent. I think last year he went through a lot of different kinds of situations where things were on the line and there were a lot of meaningful kicks in situations that he got put into, as a rookie it’s not easy. And then especially being a third-round pick, it’s like you have all this extra pressure and expectations and stuff. But I think just the more experience that he got just the more confident he got. And then obviously this year, in camp and stuff, he’s been lockdown and just locked in on his job and he has been great. So obviously the first game he had a great performance. Just who he is around the building, just talking to him and stuff more and seeing him sort of come out of his shell and talking to guys, you could just feel it. So we’ve all got his back. We love going to war with him.”

Teams run a version of your defensive scheme. Is what they’re running in Minnesota like really unique? Is it tough to prepare for because you don’t really see it very much?

“I would say so. Yeah, like you get into some teams throughout the league where you know what they’re running, they’re in quarters, three-deep, man, like you know what they’re running. With Minnesota, it’s sort of an illusion fest. They want to make it seem like they’re doing this and then post snap they’re dropping eight into every which way. So, they do a lot. It’s hard for us to just grasp exactly what they’re doing. So, I think a lot of it is dropping back and post-snap seeing the shell, the safeties, who’s coming, who’s not and where I need to go with the ball from there. But it’s definitely one of those outliers of a scheme that you have to get ready for.”

Is part of what makes it effective in Minnesota the fact that it’s so loud and it’s hard to communicate?

“Yeah, for sure. I think that’s definitely a component of the game. Being in the huddle, screaming the play, breaking, and then you’re not being able to hear guys and yell and make audibles. It’s all signals and like I said, we’re on silent cadence, which is a whole other dynamic from playing at home. And so, it’s totally different. But there’s some good things that can come from it just in terms of the preparation and being ready for those moments and executing. Sometimes the best executed games are on the road with crazy environments because you have to be more in tune to the little things. So there’s pros and cons to it. But Minnesota’s one of those places where you have to be on top of your stuff or else you can get exposed.”

In terms of your memories of playing in Minnesota, do you flash back to last year’s game and the finish or do you go back to maybe your first ever preseason game when after you’ve done the joint practices and you get your first taste of NFL football?

“It’s more so of last year, just like that’s a real game and regular season and going in on Monday Night Football trying to get a win. The preseason game was every once in a while, think about it and laugh about it. But just being my rookie year and me trying to go through reads and stuff is pretty funny to go back and watch. But last year, those are the memories that when I think of Minnesota, I think of last year’s game and how every possession matters, taking care of the ball matters, executing in certain moments to try to create momentum on a place like that in the road. It’s not easy to win there. That’s what I think of most is last year.”

This is kind of a crazy game. A few months ago, you shared a quarterback room with Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold and now you’re going up against him.

“Sam’s the man. I’ve told everybody that. I absolutely love Sam and who he is as a person, what he has done for this team in the quarterback room last year for [QB] Brandon [Allen] and I. He came in and helped me prepare and gave me everything that he had with his role as a backup to help me be successful on Sundays. And so I’ll always be grateful for that. I love Sam. He’s very talented. He’s in a great situation, great offense, great players around him. Sam is so talented with his arm strength, his legs, like Sam can move. And so, to be able to go out and compete against him, it’s going to be fun. That’s who he is. He’s a competitor. I know he’s going to want this one too. And so for all of us, it’s going to be a fun game.”

Do you think that George’s punishment for the Iowa State-Iowa game was equal to your punishment last year for that same game?

“We agreed to the terms of what was going to happen after this year. I had to walk up here with a mascot helmet, so that’s a little different. But it did feel good though, just seeing him in an Iowa State helmet like what could have been. He could have been a cyclone. George Kittle as a cyclone? That would’ve been pretty sweet.”

How’d he look?

“I thought he looked good. That helmet looked so good, and then with George’s hair coming out, I was like, ‘alright.’”

Do you have a mascot head somewhere?

“I don’t. I could ask my equipment guys back at Iowa State to send me one. And to tell you the truth, my rookie year, that was the deal too and Iowa State won. I had the stuff sent out and it got lost in the mail. So George was like, ‘you’re a rookie, you have three days to do it,’ and it didn’t show up. And he goes, ‘that’s too bad.’ I was like, ‘bro.’ So, then last year, of course they win and then this year got him. So, I don’t know, maybe there’ll be a mascot head thing again. So yeah, go Cyclones.”