What McVay thought of 49ers QB Purdy’s endless scrambles vs. Rams

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy put on a show with his legs in the 49ers’ narrow 27-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season. Though the young quarterback is known for his passing, it was his mobility and ability to extend plays that grabbed the attention of Rams head coach Sean McVay.

Purdy, who’s only 24 years old, rushed for 41 yards on 10 carries, keeping several drives alive with his quick feet and awareness in the pocket. His escapability frustrated the Rams’ defense, as he continuously evaded pressure and danced around a collapsing pocket. McVay, known for his football acumen, couldn’t help but notice Purdy’s athleticism and ability to prolong plays, even if it did cause a few heart-stopping moments for the Rams’ sideline.

During his postgame press conference, McVay humorously recalled some of Purdy’s Houdini-like maneuvers. “I thought, ‘Purdy, oh my gosh. He’s just running around forever on a couple of those plays,’” McVay said, laughing along with the reporters. “Yeah, you guys are laughing with me—it’s not funny, is it? Jeez.” Despite the light-hearted tone, it was clear that McVay was well aware of the danger Purdy posed when he extended plays with his feet.

Purdy’s scrambling ability was just one part of his overall impressive performance. He completed 22 of 30 passes for 292 yards and threw for three touchdowns, despite six of his incompletions being drops. His efficient outing also earned him a remarkable 137.1 passer rating, which tied him with Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner for the second-most regular-season games with a passer rating of 100 or higher in a quarterback’s first 25 starts.

While the 49ers came up short on the scoreboard, Purdy’s mobility was a game-changer throughout the contest, leaving McVay scratching his head at times. The Rams’ coach, however, had nothing but praise for the young signal-caller. “You know what? He’s a competitor,” McVay said. “I’ve got a ton of respect for him and what they’ve done since he’s stepped in there.”

Purdy’s previous success against the Rams only adds to the intrigue. Heading into Week 3, he had yet to lose to San Francisco’s NFC West rival, having posted a 93.1 passer rating and 206 passing yards against them during a victory in Week 2 of the 2023 season. However, McVay’s Rams finally got the upper hand, snapping Purdy’s streak with a gritty performance.

Despite the loss, Purdy’s play didn’t go unnoticed. His ability to escape pressure and make plays on the run further solidifies his growing reputation as one of the most dangerous young quarterbacks in the league. Even in defeat, his skill set—both as a passer and a runner—left an indelible impression on McVay and the Rams. After a hard-fought game that ended with a postgame scuffle, one thing became clear: Brock Purdy is a quarterback to be reckoned with, and the Rams know they’ll have to be prepared for his dual-threat capabilities the next time they meet.