Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, new San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris couldn't resist boasting about his defense intercepting quarterback Brock Purdy during practice.

The media had only two opportunities to observe organized team activities (OTAs), which wrapped up this week, and Wednesday's session was one of them.


When a reporter began asking Morris for his impressions of Purdy during the offseason program, the defensive coordinator smiled and interrupted before the question was even finished.

"We got a Brock pick today," Morris said. "I let him know that right after practice. That was awesome. He's going to be so mad at me for telling the media that, but you guys were there. That's a big one."

When informed that Purdy had actually thrown two interceptions during the session, Morris' grin grew even wider.

"Was it two? Oh, I didn't get a chance to brag," he joked.

Of course, Morris wasn't trying to create the wrong narrative about his quarterback. After the 49ers defense recorded just six interceptions during the 2025 season—only the New York Jets had fewer with zero—he was excited to see his unit generate takeaways, even in practice.


Asked whether Purdy had thrown many interceptions throughout the offseason program, Morris quickly dismissed the idea and praised the quarterback.

"No, no, no. I wouldn't say a lot," Morris said. "He is the layer king. He's so accurate. He puts the ball in the right spot. He keeps the ball in his hands. He's tortured me for years. And it's so nice to be around him."



Purdy has faced criticism in previous offseasons for throwing what some viewed as too many interceptions during practice. However, the quarterback has consistently explained that offseason work is the ideal time to test limits and experiment with higher-risk throws.

"In the game and in the season, it comes down to protecting the ball every snap, every play, so you can't necessarily try those things out," Purdy said in 2024. "Right now, we can, and so my mindset right now is protect the ball, but let's be aggressive. Let's try this out. Let's figure it out."


Meanwhile, Morris has also used the offseason as an opportunity to learn from the offensive side of the ball, including the 49ers' franchise quarterback.

"It's so refreshing to be around that whole group and the energy that they bring," Morris said, "getting a chance to be nosy and go in there with those guys is always fun because you learn from [quarterbacks coach] Mick [Lombardi], you learn from Brock, [QB] Mac [Jones], all of those guys that are in that room. And I enjoy going there and getting to be with those guys sometimes, too."

The 49ers concluded their offseason program on Thursday after canceling next week's mandatory minicamp. The team will reconvene for training camp in late July.

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