Brock Purdy’s Monday night performance in Week 16 wasn’t just a bounce-back - it was a statement. After a rocky showing back in Week 12 against the Panthers, where he tossed three interceptions under the national spotlight, questions started swirling.
Was that the beginning of a post-injury slide? Was Mac Jones a better fit under center?
The 49ers may have escaped with a win that night, but the noise around their quarterback situation was getting louder.
Fast forward a few weeks, and Purdy has done more than just quiet the doubters - he’s flipped the conversation entirely. His performances against the Browns and Titans showed signs of a quarterback regaining rhythm, but it was his dismantling of the Colts in Week 16 that really turned heads.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just a good game. It was Purdy’s best yet.
Against an Indianapolis defense that had just held the red-hot Seahawks in check, Purdy lit it up for a career-high five touchdown passes, leading San Francisco to a commanding 48-27 victory. And he did it on the road, in a primetime slot, with playoff stakes on the line for the Colts. That’s not just efficiency - that’s poise, execution, and leadership under pressure.
It’s also a reminder of why the 49ers made a full commitment to Purdy as their guy.
Kay Adams, host of Up & Adams, summed it up perfectly when she said, “Honestly, this entire stretch since he's come back from injury, it has been an emphatic reminder of why the Niners went all-in on him with the contract.” And she’s right. While Mac Jones held the fort admirably during Purdy’s absence - going 5-3 as the starter - there’s a different gear this offense hits when Purdy is under center.
And he’s doing it without some key weapons. Brandon Aiyuk hasn’t played a snap all season.
Ricky Pearsall, the promising second-year wideout, has missed significant time. Yet the offense hasn’t missed a beat.
That “stacked receivers room” narrative? It doesn’t hold up when your top options are sidelined and you’re still putting up 40-plus points in a primetime game.
Statistically, Purdy’s been dialed in. Over the last five games, his 70.2% completion rate leads all NFL quarterbacks.
His 14-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio ranks second-best in the league during that span. Those aren’t just solid numbers - they’re elite, especially considering the context: coming off injury, missing key targets, and facing playoff-caliber opponents.
And let’s not forget the intangible side of this. Quarterbacks are judged not just by their stats, but by how they respond to adversity.
That three-pick night against Carolina could’ve shaken a lot of young QBs. Instead, Purdy regrouped, refocused, and has arguably played the best football of his career since.
The 49ers haven’t lost a game since he returned. The offense looks sharper, more dynamic, and more confident. And in a league where momentum matters and quarterback play defines seasons, San Francisco is peaking at just the right time - with Purdy leading the charge.
So, if there was any lingering doubt about who should be QB1 in the Bay, it’s gone now. Purdy’s not just back - he’s better. And if this level of play continues, the 49ers are going to be a serious problem for anyone standing in their way come January.