Brock Purdy’s MVP case is already under pressure, and the 49ers’ trade deadline approach could make it worse.
The San Francisco quarterback has put together a career year and has been a huge reason the 49ers are 6-1 heading into their bye week. For a stretch, he was even the favorite to win MVP. But after a rough Week 7 loss to the Falcons, that momentum has slipped.
Purdy turned the ball over twice in Atlanta and had trouble moving the offense against a middling Falcons defense. That performance knocked him from the top spot in the race and left him a distant second to Josh Allen.
Now the issue is what the 49ers do next. General manager John Lynch already made one move, bringing back defensive tackle DeForest Buckner by sending away a fourth-round pick. But after that, there were rumors the team was probably finished making major additions before the deadline.
If that’s the case, it could leave Purdy short-handed. The 49ers are expected to get both Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel back soon, but Purdy would still be leaning on a 33-year-old and a post-prime Samuel as his main targets. There’s no guarantee either stays healthy the rest of the way.
That’s why another receiver would make sense, whether it’s a bigger swing like Brian Thomas Jr. or a more modest addition such as Josh Downs. Giving Purdy more help would only improve his chances of keeping the offense rolling.
After what happened in Atlanta, Purdy doesn’t have much margin left. He was the MVP front-runner for a brief time because of his efficiency, but he doesn’t have the same physical gifts as Josh Allen or the improvisational talent of Patrick Mahomes, who are both in the top five of MVP odds.
And when voters weigh the league’s most valuable player, they tend to favor the quarterback who can lift the offense no matter what’s around him. Purdy’s Week 7 stumble works against him, and he can’t really afford another one. If he’s going to stay in the race, he’ll need elite efficiency from here on out - and he’ll need enough weapons around him to help make that happen.
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49ers Could Cash In As Mac Jones Draws Contender Interest
Mac Jones has suddenly become a name to watch on the quarterback market, and the ripple effect could matter in San Francisco. With several contenders dealing with uncertainty under center, the 49ers could find themselves in a position to benefit if interest in Jones turns into real trade calls, especially from teams looking for a stabilizing option rather than a long-term fix.
The Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles are all being mentioned as clubs that could explore quarterback help, each for different reasons tied to their current roster situations and injuries. Minnesota has leaned on a strong defense while its offense has sputtered, Baltimore has had to navigate injuries at quarterback, and Philadelphias depth chart has been shaken enough to make the position a priority again. If that market develops further, Jones could become one of the more intriguing names to monitor, and the 49ers would be watching closely to see how far the bidding goes. [Read more 🡒]
Fred Warner Is Giving The 49ers A New Defensive Identity
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He has been the teams tackling leader and has also created takeaways at a pace that gives the defense a different kind of bite. The numbers only tell part of it, though, because Warners presence has helped shape how the 49ers are playing on that side of the ball now, and the bigger question is how far this version of the defense can carry them as the season moves deeper into the stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Former 49ers Pick Resurfaces For All The Wrong Reasons
Joe Williams, the former 49ers running back drafted in 2017, resurfaced this week in West Hollywood after allegedly fleeing from Los Angeles County Sheriffs deputies. Williams, who once arrived in San Francisco with plenty of college-football intrigue behind him, was taken into custody after the incident and is now facing a string of charges that includes receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, vandalism, trespassing and a probation violation.
For the 49ers, it is another uncomfortable reminder of how quickly a promising draft story can fade from view. Williams never got the chance to make good on that selection in a regular-season game, and now his next court appearance is set for Nov. 2 as the legal process moves forward. [Read more 🡒]