49ers' Brock Purdy Says Being Called a Game Manager 'Can Be a Compliment'

When former NFL quarterback Cam Newton labeled San Francisco 49ers signal-caller Brock Purdy a "game manager," many took it the wrong way.

Purdy, for one, told reporters Tuesday that he believes being dubbed a game manager can be a compliment.

"I feel like it can be a compliment at times where it's like alright, you've got a guy that can come in and run the system well," Purdy said. "I feel like that's a compliment. ... There's 32 teams in the NFL and there's not a lot of people that can come in and play the quarterback position well in the NFL. It's a hard job. So, if you're saying that I'm a game manager and I don't look flashy in how I do it, that's your opinion and that's OK and at the end of the day I want to do what it takes to help my team win. I think winning, at the end of the day, in the NFL is probably the biggest and most important thing."

Speaking on his 4th & 1 With Cam Newton podcast in December, the former Carolina Panthers quarterback labeled Purdy a "game manager," saying the 49ers are "not winning because of him."

He also labeled Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, Miami Dolphins signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff "game managers."

"They're not difference-makers," Newton said. "[They're being asked] not to lose. … I don't give a damn what you do. You don't have to score every time. You just don't have to throw a pick every time either. If we're going to call a spade a spade, a game manager is different than a game-changer."

More recently on his podcast, Newton called Purdy the "10th-best player" on the 49ers when considering the talent they have on both sides of the ball.

"If you really just want to be honest, if you add in the defensive talent and you add in the offensive talent, Brock Purdy is the 10th-best player on this team," Newton said. "OK, cool. Did he have a great game? Yes. Has he been playing out of his mind? Yes. Is he a quarterback that's hot? Yes. But he's still the 10th-best player on this team."

At this point, it's no surprise Purdy doesn't put much weight on Newton's comments, especially considering he's one win away from winning a Super Bowl title in his first full season as a starter.

Purdy was also a big reason why the 49ers beat the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game last month. He completed 20 of 31 passes for 267 yards and one touchdown against one interception, in addition to rushing for 48 yards.

The 24-year-old managed the game well, and it led to a win which, like he said, is all that matters in the NFL.

Purdy and the 49ers will face their toughest challenge yet in Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend with the title on the line. If San Francisco wins, and Purdy plays well, it's possible the "game manager" narrative will be put to rest.