How Brock Purdy became the 49ers' 'Layer King' — SkimNews
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- Brock Purdy led the NFL in QBR (85.5) and touchdown passes (13) through the first five weeks, the statistical fingerprint of an MVP-caliber season built on layered throws.
- Purdy credited his development to studying Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, a 6-foot QB whose tape taught him to compensate for limited arm strength with eye manipulation, anticipation, and timing.
- Each day of the offseason, Purdy logs two-to-four-minute vision training sessions using an iPad, 3D glasses, and saccades exercises designed to speed his eye movement and improve depth perception.
- 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris dubbed Purdy the "Layer King" in training camp after watching him repeatedly fit passes over linebackers Fred Warner and in front of lurking safeties.
- Among quarterbacks with at least 30 starts since he became San Francisco's starter in 2022, Purdy ranks fourth in attempts (224) and second in passing yards (2,389) and yards per attempt (10.7) on throws between the hashes.
- In a wild-card playoff win over Philadelphia in January, Purdy completed a 45-yard completion to Jauan Jennings over linebacker Zack Baun on a route called "skid," releasing the ball in 2.63 seconds with Jennings gaining separation from 1.2 yards at throw to 2.8 yards at catch.
- Since the start of the 2025 season, Purdy is first in the NFL in passing yards on tight-window throws between the hashes (those where the receiver has less than a yard of separation when the ball arrives).
Why it matters: Purdy has turned a physical limitation into an elite edge: by pairing Brees-style film study with daily vision training and Shanahan's repetition-heavy route concepts, the 6-1 quarterback now leads the league in tight-window passing yards and QBR through five weeks. For defensive coordinators, the film forces a choice — sit underneath against his layered throws and risk chunk plays, or play over the top and surrender underneath completions.
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