“MVP benched” – 49ers keeping Sam Darnold in at QB despite Brock Purdy being out of the medical tent against the Ravens has fans questioning Mr. Irrelevant’s future

Through 15 games in 2023 Brock Purdy has completed 68.8 percent of his passes for 4,050 yards, throwing 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

“MVP benched” – 49ers keeping Sam Darnold in at QB despite Brock Purdy being out of the medical tent against the Ravens has fans questioning Mr. Irrelevant’s future

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (Image via ESPN)

Brock Purdy went into the Baltimore Ravens game as the favorite to win the MVP title if the league had ended today. But he came out of it, likely proving Cam Newton‘s point. He finished the game with 18 completions for 255 yards and four interceptions.

The deal had already been sealed within the first 30 minutes of the night. Purdy was up against the best defense in the league and capitulated as the game progressed. Cornerback Kyle Hamilton, who had praised Purdy a few days ago, was the one who picked off a pass in the first couple of minutes of the play.

Moments later, he targeted Deebo Samuel, who was open about 2 yards past the line of scrimmage. But Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens saw through the route and deflected the ball toward fellow corner Marlon Humphrey.

FS Video

While the Ravens pushed forward, the hole around Purdy started narrowing down as the blitz kept on the pressure. His next attempt was directed at tight end George Kittle, who had already completed 91 yards. But his pass hit Kittle and ricocheted off into the graceful hands of Hamilton.

It may seem that Purdy was having a rough night, but that was by design. The Baltimore pass rushers were not allowing him to take much time and release the ball, causing chaos. Still, he tried to play through one of the awful phases of his short NFL career.

When things are in my mind, ‘OK, you’ve messed up a couple times, I’ve got to find a way to make a play,’ that’s where I think I have to grow.
Purdy said after the game

Fans feel the Baltimore Ravens exposed Brock Purdy

Unfortunately for the Arizona native, the onslaught wasn’t over for him. In the third quarter, Purdy looked for a pass targeting running back Christian McCaffrey at 12:07. But Ravens nose tackle Travis Jones closed in so fast that he wasn’t able to release the ball properly, and Patrick Queen scooped it up for the fourth interception.

"MVP benched" - 49ers keeping Sam Darnold in at QB despite Brock Purdy being out of the medical tent against the Ravens has fans questioning Mr. Irrelevant's future
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (Image via NFL.com)

That was the final draw for head coach Kyle Shanahan to bench the 23-year-old and bring on Sam Darnold for the remainder of the game. Darnold capped off with 8/14 for 81 yards, one handoff to McCaffrey, and an interception to Ravens Marcus Williams. Purdy promised to make amends in the next couple of games. 

I have to look at myself in the mirror and ask myself why or how that happened and why I made those decisions. Our team came ready to play, and for me to make some decisions like that, it hurts. I have to get better for my team.

However, NFL fans were having none of it.

Purdy became the first 49ers player since Colin Kaepernick in 2015 to throw four picks in an NFL game. Purdy finished with a 42.6 rating, far below the league-best 119.0 mark, he averaged the first 15 weeks of the season.

The game ended with a landslide 33-19 win for the Ravens, which established them as arguably the best team in the NFL. They are currently 12-3, while the 49ers are 11-4.

In case you missed it: