Brock Purdy Doesn't Need to be a Gunslinger in the Playoffs

If you want to get under Brock Purdy's skin, call him a game manager.

That would imply he's a passenger on the 49ers' train, not the driving force behind their success. And he wants to be seen as the driving force. As the engine.

So privately, he calls himself a gunslinger, meaning someone with pinpoint accuracy who takes risks and engages in shootouts.

Purdy recently explained his mentality to Fox analyst Mark Schlereth.

SCHLERETH: "Brock Purdy said to me, 'Anybody who calls me a game manager either is not watching the film or doesn't know what they're looking at. The end of this thing will tell the story. I'm not saying I'm the best quarterback, but I have some gunslinger in me, and you look at some of the throws I make, you look at some of the windows I throw it into. I know I'm not that biggest-armed guy -- I never have been. So I had to make up for the lack or arm talent, with perfect timing, great footwork and knowing where everybody is.'"

Obviously, Schlereth paraphrased that quote. I trust he didn't make it up, considering he's supposed to be in the media. So let's assume Purdy said it.

I respect that Purdy sees himself as more than a game manager -- any quarterback who settles for that label is not a franchise quarterback.

But Purdy doesn't need to be a gunslinger in the playoffs. Doesn't need to take risks and throw passes into tight windows or anything difficult like that. His job in the playoffs simply is to find the open man and distribute the ball to Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey and sometimes Kyle Juszczyk.

That's it.

The 49ers don't need another four-interception performance from him in the playoffs. They need him to protect the football, because when he throws no interceptions, the 49ers are undefeated this season.

Be a game manager, Brock. That's what the 49ers need from you.