San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan is usually a tough critic, but he recently shared a humorous story about quarterback Brock Purdy during the 49ers’ 37-24 win over the Tennessee Titans. The story highlights Purdy’s smart play and Shanahan’s playful coaching style.
Shanahan’s Sideline Sarcasm
Shanahan explained that a moment captured by NFL Films, where he appeared to praise Purdy, was actually sarcastic. “So proud of you right there, Brock,” Shanahan said over the sideline-to-helmet radio. “That was sarcasm. I was trying to piss him off.”
The exchange occurred after Purdy successfully completed a simple play to fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Shanahan admitted that he had been joking to get a playful reaction from Purdy, who often tries to challenge the coach in subtle ways.
The Play That Made Shanahan Laugh
The story began with Purdy’s mistakes in Week 13 against the Cleveland Browns, where he bypassed the short, safe option. The same play was called against the Titans in Week 15, and this time, Purdy executed it perfectly by hitting Juszczyk in the flat. Shanahan’s mock praise was intended as a joke to highlight the improvement.
Shanahan explained, “We have an easy, quick pass to Juice in the flat. It’s designed to get 3 yards, and he might turn it up and get more. The last five times I’ve called it, he bypassed Juszczyk and went for a deeper option. So we’ve been giving him crap for not hitting the guy in the flat quickly. When he did it this time, I said that just to piss him off. It was awesome.”
Immediate Impact
The play occurred on a second-and-6 situation in the third quarter, and Juszczyk turned the short pass into a 7-yard gain. Three plays later, Purdy threw a 1-yard jump-pass touchdown to George Kittle, giving the 49ers a 31-10 lead. Shanahan noted that although he couldn’t see Purdy’s immediate reaction, he knew the quarterback was rolling his eyes at the sarcasm.
Conclusion
This lighthearted story shows the fun and unique relationship between Shanahan and Purdy. It also highlights Purdy’s growth as a quarterback, learning to trust the simple plays and execute them correctly. While Shanahan is serious about winning, he clearly enjoys playful moments that motivate his players to perform at their best.
