Whenever San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy speaks to reporters, he's typically even-keeled and mellow. However, there are times on the field when a more fiery version of Purdy emerges, revealing just how competitive the 49ers quarterback can be.
That fire emerged recently when Purdy snapped at wide receiver Jordan Watkins after he made a mistake on the practice field. Purdy's willingness to hold his teammates accountable has earned their respect. However, it's not just others whom the 49ers quarterback tries to hold accountable on the football field.
Purdy is often just as hard on himself.
"I appreciate who Brock is as a leader and as a guy," offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said on Monday. "He's not a rah-rah guy in terms of he's not bringing a lot of vocal energy every day, but he quietly goes about his business, and he tries to hold people accountable.
"And yeah, Brock, he'll snap, he'll get on people. He'll get on himself probably more than anyone. If you guys hear some things being said out there, it's probably him talking to himself a lot of the time, too, which you love that—a guy who's holding himself accountable."
Right guard Dominick Puni has gotten to know that intense side of Purdy over his first two NFL seasons, and he appreciates the passion the 49ers quarterback plays with and the leadership he displays.
"He's the guy," Puni said. "He gets in the huddle, he commands the huddle. He never wavers. Any bad play in practice, he's just onto the next play. We don't even talk about that play.
"He's always keeping us energized in the huddle and just making sure we work. If someone messes up, he's on them. I can't ask any more of Brock as a leader."
Purdy has displayed that leadership since his first action as a rookie. In fact, during that December 2022 game against the Miami Dolphins, when he stepped into the huddle after the 49ers suffered their second quarterback injury of the season, Purdy looked like a seasoned veteran, barking commands to his teammates as if he had been playing in the NFL for years.
The same was true the following week during his first NFL start, a matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And again the week after that, in an NFC West clash against the Seattle Seahawks. Really, that has been the case in every game since.
"That's who he is. It's who he's always been," Kubiak added. "From the day he got here, he kind of had that personality and that edge to him, and we love it. It's what makes him a great competitor, so not taking that away from him."
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