In a league where quarterbacks are benched at the first sign of trouble, the San Francisco 49ers are doubling down on Brock Purdy—no matter how disastrous his performances become. Fans and analysts are reeling from head coach Kyle Shanahan’s steadfast refusal to pull the plug on his struggling signal-caller, a move that’s sparking heated debates across the NFL. Is this loyalty a masterstroke of faith in their franchise guy, or a recipe for disaster? The Purdy truth is finally emerging, and it’s shaking the foundations of one of the league’s powerhouse teams.
The drama unfolded in stark relief during the 49ers’ matchup against the Carolina Panthers on November 24, 2025, at Levi’s Stadium. What should have been a dominant blowout turned into a nail-biter, thanks largely to Purdy’s nightmarish first half. The quarterback, once hailed as an MVP finalist in 2023, threw three interceptions that kept the underdog Panthers in contention. It was arguably his worst outing since the infamous Christmas game against the Baltimore Ravens two years prior.
Post-game, Shanahan faced the inevitable question: Did he consider yanking Purdy in favor of backup Mac Jones? His response was swift and unequivocal: “No.” And he’s absolutely right. Benching Purdy isn’t an option—not now, not ever, unless injury forces their hand. The 49ers committed to him in the offseason with a massive extension, declaring him their long-term leader. Pulling him now would undermine that investment and create chaos.
Imagine if Purdy had thrown six picks in that game. It wouldn’t matter. The Niners have to ride with him through the storm. This is the moment to test his mettle, to see if he can rebound from adversity. Inserting Jones, even if momentarily justified, would only muddy the waters. It could give Purdy an excuse—”I felt the pressure”—and distract from the real evaluation: Is he mentally tough enough to reclaim his 2023 form?
The numbers paint a grim picture, and they’re impossible to ignore. In just four starts this season, Purdy has already racked up seven interceptions. He’s thrown multiple picks in three of those games, inching dangerously close to his career-high of 12. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s the third-worst quarterback in turnover-worthy play rate for 2025:
| Rank | Quarterback | Turnover-Worthy Play Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | J.J. McCarthy | 5.9% |
| 2 | Spencer Rattler | 5.4% |
| 3 | Brock Purdy | 5.3% |
As analyst Akash Anavarathan pointed out on X: “There’s a fine line between being aggressive, play-making and putting the ball in harms way. Purdy needs to keep being smarter with the ball.”
Purdy’s trajectory is downward, no doubt about it. But that’s precisely why the 49ers can’t entertain benching him. Opening that door invites endless speculation and excuses. Instead, they must let him play through the slump, proving once and for all if he’s the quarterback of the future or if the offseason extension was a costly misstep.
By sticking with Purdy, the 49ers are forcing a reckoning. Either he bounces back, rediscovering the poise that made him a sensation, or they face the harsh reality that it’s time to move on. Benching him mid-season would only delay the inevitable and spark offseason turmoil. Let him battle through the issues—sink or swim. The entire NFL is watching, and this unthinkable loyalty could redefine the 49ers’ era… or end it.