Kittle applauds Purdy’s leadership and growth as 49ers QB originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It was a 49ers reunion at the fourth annual Tight End University — a camp co-hosted by All-ProGeorge Kittle and Kansas City Chiefs superstar Travis Kelce – and a common theme at the event was the Brock Purdy positive status as the leader of the San Francisco offense.
Kittle hasn’t been on the field with Purdy since underwent core muscle surgery during the offseason, but noticed the quarterback’s command over the players on the field.
“He looks like the guy, which is really cool,” Kittle told NBC Sports Bay Area. “He’s in the building every day and he’s the same guy every day, consistent. He is incredibly competitive. It’s fun to watch him yell at guys when they don’t get route depth or have the wrong waypoint.”
Former 49ers tight ends Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley joined Kittle at the two-day event, and although both are now part of the Atlanta Falcons organization, they commented on how Purdy was able to take control of head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense in his rookie season.
“Very proud of Brock,” Woerner said. “He handled everything like a pro, starting as third string. Where he started, and how he showed up each day, remaining a professional and ready for opportunity. And when he did, everyone knows he took advantage and is killing it.”
Dwelley, who was with Woerner during Purdy’s first offseason as a rookie, could tell early on that the quarterback’s intensity was on another level, even with his limited reps as a rookie.
“He actually came in and just thought he didn’t care about anything else that was going on,” Dwelley said. “He was very reserved and focused on learning the playbook as best as he could, as quickly as he could, and on making the most of every opportunity he had during that training camp.
“I don’t know if Kyle registered, but he knew he had something special in Brock after the OTAs his freshman year and halfway through training camp. It just so happened that he got an opportunity when some guys got hurt, and now he is who he is. It’s a really cool thing to see and he deserves it all.”
Kittle, who is on track to return to the field during training camp next month, is eager to be at the 49ers’ meeting with Purdy again and believes the offense can only improve with the third-year pro at the helm.
“He’s taking control of the offense and making it his own,” Kittle said. “It’s Kyle’s, and Kyle is calling the shots, but Brock is making the guys do what he wants, which is really fun to see.”
Kittle registered his third career 1,000-yard season and received his fifth Pro Bowl nod and second All-Pro recognition in 2023, all with Purdy under center.
Woerner, who will miss seeing his former quarterback’s progress in person, remains excited about what’s to come.
“I’m really proud of him and off the field the way he’s been carrying himself, and I’m really happy for him,” Woerner said.
