49ers passing game coach explains Purdy’s training camp interceptions

49ers passing game coach explains Purdy’s training camp interceptions originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area

SANTA CLARA — Brock Purdy’s high number of interceptions during training camp a year ago was irrelevant at the time and even less so when the 2023 NFL regular season began.

And here we are, back to where things were a year ago.

Only this time it’s not a 49ers quarterback returning from significant elbow surgery. These picks are being released by a player who finished fourth in NFL MVP voting.

“Brock would say the same thing, you never want to throw interceptions, but when you’re practicing, every play there’s something different going on,” 49ers offensive passing game specialist Klay Kubiak said.

“There’s something specific he’s looking at or working on.”

The defense always seems to have the advantage in training camp. The 49ers defense knows the offense well and knows where the offensive emphasis will be during any given day on the practice field.

About that, Purdy is constantly testing himself and refusing to take the easy way out.

“There were some cases where he tried to see how much he could get away with,” Kubiak said. “He’s trying to fit a ball into a tight window or maybe he missed a read. Each piece is something different.

“The problem with Brock is that he is aggressive. He is always aggressive and you never want him to lose that mentality. He goes out and plays like that in practice.”

The key, Kubiak says, is that Purdy takes the time to analyze each play during a practice session to evaluate where and when he should have thrown the ball based on the play call and defense.

“Now, he needs to learn from them (interceptions) in the film room, and he does,” Kubiak said. “He is responsible for this. But that’s how Brock has always been. That’s what we love about him. We don’t want that to change.”

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