With the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected quarterback Brock Purdy, formerly of Iowa State. Some would say on that Saturday afternoon, San Francisco lucked into landing one of the most polished passers in the NFL. Purdy, aka Mr. Irrelevant, was eventually thrust into a starting role as a rookie, a position he has since held after a repeat of stellar performances spanning two seasons. Purdy shined in 2023, his first full-time starter, leading the NFL in passer rating, QBR, and touchdown percentage. However, one key NFL talking head believes Purdy is far from being a competent quarterback in the NFL.

Aqib Talib, a standout NFL cornerback from 2008 to 2019, took a subtle shot at Purdy during a segment of the Up & Adams Show, claiming 49ers pass catcher Brandon Aiyuk would take off if he left Purdy for a better passer. After playing, Talib worked for Fox Sports as a commentator until 2021.

Aqib Talib: Downplays Performance From San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy

Brock Purdy has done little to prove he can’t play at the NFL level. Across 21 starts, the Iowa State product has thrown for 5,654 yards, 44 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions while completing nearly 70 percent of his passes. Purdy has also starred in the postseason, with the San Francisco 49ers posting a 4-1 record in playoff games he starts and finishes. However, former NFL standout corner Aqib Talib needs to apparently see more from Purdy despite the constant elite performances.

Aqib Talib ranks Brandon Aiyuk as a Top-3 receiver while taking a shot at Brock Purdy:

“Aiyuk is emerging… He’s probably my top 3 receiver right now. You get him with a real quarterback and he can go crazy.”

“Aiyuk is emerging. I think he is probably in my top three receivers right now. If you get him with a real quarterback, he can go crazy,” said Talib when pressed about the San Francisco wideout during his appearance on Wednesday’s Up and Adams Show.

Emphasizing that Aiyuk would further produce with “a real quarterback” seems foolish, given that the pass-catcher posted a career-best 1,342 yards last season with Purdy under center. Aiuk finished the season with 75 catches and seven touchdowns while earning second-team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career. With Purdy, Aiyuk has performed as a high-end receiver while failing to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in his first two NFL seasons, each without Purdy under center.

San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy: Elite Level Production

Per the statistics and results, the San Francisco 49ers have a franchise quarterback in Brock Purdy. San Francisco turned to Purdy late in the 2022 season after injuries to fellow passers Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance. In six games, Purdy threw for 1,308 yards, 13 touchdowns, and three interceptions, with the 49ers going undefeated during that stretch. Purdy threw for 546 yards and three touchdowns in two playoff appearances before an injury in the NFC Championship caused the passer to leave the game after just four pass attempts.

After a stellar rookie showing, San Francisco opted to head into the 2023 season with Purdy as the unquestioned starter. The 24-year-old made good on the decision, throwing for 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 11 picks during his second NFL season. He led the league in numerous passing stats while again performing well in the postseason. He went 23-of-38 for 255 yards and a touchdown in an overtime loss against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.