San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan remarked on the rarity of having two players from one team nominated for the NFL MVP award. He expressed excitement as quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Christian McCaffrey are both contenders. Shanahan emphasized their significant contributions to the team’s offense. Despite the favorite being Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, the 49ers eagerly anticipate Thursday’s awards ceremony.
“It is unusual,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said, via David Bonilla of 49erswebzone. “I think to get to where we have been, to where we’ve gotten and to do it at the level we’ve had, you should have some players. I know we’ve got some defensive guys up for some awards, too, but having both of those guys in the run and the pass game where Christian does them both — and really Brock’s done them both — they’ve both been unbelievable and the biggest parts of our offense.”
The Associated Press has announced the final five contenders for the NFL MVP award, including Lamar Jackson, Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Josh Allen, and Dak Prescott. Notably, Purdy has been advocating for his fellow San Francisco teammate, McCaffrey, to not only secure the MVP title but also the Offensive Player of the Year accolade. This camaraderie underscores the tight-knit dynamics within the 49ers’ roster and highlights the respect and admiration Purdy holds for McCaffrey’s exceptional performance on the field.
“That’s one of the most respectable guys I’ve ever played with,” Purdy said of McCaffrey. “The way he rehabs, the way he recovers after games, what he eats and his training sessions, he goes hard in everything that he does. He’s very [intentional] with everything that he does throughout his day, his schedule. He’s a true professional, and if there’s a guy that you want to model it’s that guy.
“For me, coming in, obviously we traded for him halfway through the season last year, but still, Day 1 when he got here, I was like, ‘OK, this guy’s different.’ He’s fighting and clawing. He can do everything — run the ball, catch the ball.
“And more than anything, [it’s] his mindset. He’s not all about himself. He’s about the team. He obviously stands for good things in life and has got great morals, but that’s the kind of guy you want to go to war with, and he’s got your back.”
Shanahan will undoubtedly relish the dynamic of having two of his players vying for the league’s most prestigious award, especially given that one of them is actively rooting for the other’s success. It epitomizes the pinnacle of sportsmanship within the NFL.
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