The San Francisco 49ers are well aware that last season was disappointing and are looking to improve their results in the 2025 NFL season. In that regard, starting quarterback Brock Purdy provided a surprising and unexpected explanation for his passing game, linking his comments to the situation of Brandon Aiyuk, the wide receiver who could be traded this offseason.

Aiyuk is being targeted by the Cleveland Browns, who have yet to make a formal offer for the 49ers‘ key weapon but are closely monitoring his situation. The departure of the 27-year-old receiver would pose a challenge for Purdy and his game.

It’s clear that Purdy is one of the young stars of the league, despite facing difficulties during the 2024 season, including shoulder and right elbow injuries that caused him to miss two games. Nevertheless, he put up decent numbers. However, beyond those setbacks, the 25-year-old quarterback reportedly pointed out another surprising issue.

Purdy’s unexpected revelation about his passing game

The website ClutchPoints.com revealed a surprising statement from the 49ers quarterback regarding his performance. “Brock Purdy says about 40% of the time he’s not able to see his intended target on throws downfield due to the size of the linemen in front of him (which is typical for most QBs who aren’t very tall). He talks about how important it is knowing coverages, scheme, and knowing where his receivers are supposed to be.

Purdy’s relevance to the 49ers

The situation Purdy describes is a common challenge for quarterbacks who don’t stand out for their height. To compensate for this visual limitation, the San Francisco star emphasizes the importance of understanding defensive coverages and knowing the expected positioning of his receivers, such as Aiyuk.

Despite this constant challenge, Purdy has maintained a solid performance in the NFL, holding a 23-13 record as a starter, throwing 64 touchdown passes, and being intercepted only 27 times. The former Iowa player is in the final year of his rookie contract, and the talks about his extension have already begun. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have expressed their confidence in him, highlighting his leadership and on-field skills.