Unlocking Brock Purdy’s Potential: Steve Young’s Bold Vision for the Future

NFL Hall of Famer and San Francisco 49ers legend Steve Young has a bold vision for the future of the 49ers’ offense. Young believes that quarterback Brock Purdy has the potential to elevate his game by utilizing his legs more effectively. Speaking on 95.7 The Game’s “Willard & Dibs” show, Young made it clear that he sees a future where Purdy’s mobility becomes a central aspect of the team’s offensive strategy.

The Case for More RPOs and Designed Runs

Steve Young’s belief in Brock Purdy’s untapped mobility comes with a clear recommendation: the 49ers need to incorporate more designed runs and RPOs (run-pass options) into their playbook. During the season, Young pointed out multiple times that he thought head coach Kyle Shanahan should call RPO plays for Purdy.

“I said during the season a couple of times, I think Kyle [Shanahan] should call RPOs for Brock,” Young explained. “We should put him on the run out of the huddle where he’s going to carry it. The threat he needs to bring, we understand the processing power.” Young even drew a compelling comparison: “He can do 80 percent of what Jayden [Daniels] is doing with his legs.”

This statement underscores Young’s perspective that quarterbacks today need to be dual threats—able to challenge defenses with both their arm and their legs. He highlighted prominent mobile quarterbacks like Jayden Daniels, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Jalen Hurts as the modern prototypes for successful NFL quarterbacks.

Mobility: A Must-Have for Modern Quarterbacks

Young emphasized that in today’s NFL, mobility is no longer optional—it’s essential. “I think you have to call plays for it,” Young said. “You have to threaten the line of scrimmage every time if you’re going to go to the Super Bowl.” He believes that a quarterback who cannot consistently threaten with his legs will be at a disadvantage in the quest for championships.

Purdy showed glimpses of his running ability this past season, setting career highs in carries (66), rushing yards (323), and rushing touchdowns (5). His 4.9 yards per carry indicated that he can be an effective runner when called upon. While his numbers fall short of standout performers like Jayden Daniels, who logged 148 carries for 891 yards, Young is confident that Purdy has room to grow.

“Every time I watch the playoffs, it reminded me of that truth again,” Young said. He believes Purdy has the potential to combine his strong passing game with mobility, giving him an edge as a versatile quarterback. With the right plays designed around his athleticism, Purdy could take his game to the next level.

Balancing Risk and Reward: Managing Purdy’s Health

One of the major challenges to incorporating more running plays for Purdy is the inherent risk of injury. Purdy’s 2024 season ended prematurely due to a right elbow contusion and nerve inflammation during a game against the Detroit Lions. The concern over his health is a valid one, and the 49ers must carefully weigh the benefits of more designed runs against the potential risks of further injuries.

Despite these concerns, Steve Young remains optimistic. With star running back Christian McCaffrey set to return for the 2025 season, the 49ers have an opportunity to add more run-pass options to their offense. The team finished 14th in scoring last season, and adding more mobility to Purdy’s game could provide the spark they need to become a true Super Bowl contender.

As Young concluded, “It’s about risk more because the ball’s in his hands at the end of the play more often, and that’s risky. But I think it has to happen.” To stay competitive in a rapidly evolving NFL, unlocking Brock Purdy’s full potential by tapping into his mobility may be the key to the 49ers’ success in the coming years.