How the Perception of Brock Purdy has Changed

Before Brock Purdy threw four interceptions and lost to the Ravens, lots of people thought he was the MVP of the league. Some even thought he was the next Joe Montana.

Not anymore.

Granted, Montana also threw four interceptions in a game one time, but he also threw two touchdown passes in that game and won it. Purdy threw no touchdown passes and lost. Montana didn't let the four interceptions affect him. He moved on, played well when it mattered and pulled out the victory. Purdy did let his four interceptions affect him. They got in his head, he played worse as the game went on and the offense actually played better without him.

So no, Purdy isn't the next Montana. And no, Purdy isn't the MVP of the NFL -- he isn't even the MVP of his team. Christian McCaffrey is.

But that doesn't mean Purdy is bad or a fraud. He's a terrific quarterback, the best one the 49ers have had since Jeff Garcia. Is Purdy an elite franchise quarterback who's worth $50 to $60 million per season? We'll see. The 49ers don't have to make that decision for a while.

But for now, they need to bring him back to Earth. Ideally, he should throw no more than 25 passes in a game. Because the more he passes, the more likely he is to throw an interception, as we learned on Christmas night against the Ravens.

Don't let Purdy cook. He's not ready to run the kitchen just yet.