49ers quarterback Purdy passes Mahomes for rare NFL passing crown originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The 2024 NFL season has been one to remember for the 49ers, but quarterback Brock Purdy still managed to make history despite an up-and-down year under center.
San Francisco’s 40-34 defeat to the Detroit Lions on Monday was a microcosm of that, as Purdy started red-hot but then fizzled with two interceptions in the second half.
Still, his three touchdown passes and a passer rating of 116.0 gave him the most games with two or more touchdown passes and a passer rating of at least 115.0 in a quarterback’s first three seasons in the NFL. NFL history with 15, surpassing the Kansas City Chiefs. signal caller Patrick Mahomeswhich recorded 14 of these games.
Here are the top five on the list, according to the 49ers’ game notes:
| Range | Player | Games
| 1. | QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco | 15
| 2 tons | Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City | 14
| | QB Russell Wilson, Mar. | 14
| 4. | Quarterback Justin Herbert, LAC | 13
| 5t.| Four players | 11
Purdy set a new career-high with 377 passing yards against the Lions, completing 27 of 35 passes for a 10.8-yard average. The performance also propelled Purdy to rise in 49ers franchise history, surpassing former San Francisco quarterbacks like Alex Smith and Jeff Garcia on a pair of exclusive lists.
| MOST PLAYS WITH OVER 350 YARDS OF PASSING, HISTORY OF THE FRANCHISE
| Range | Player | Games
| 1. | Quarterback Joe Montana | 16
| 2. | QB Steve Young | 10
| 3. | QB Brock Purdy | 4
| 4. | QB Jeff Garcia | 3
| 5t. | QB Jimmy Garoppolo | 2
| | QB Colin Kaepernick | 2
| MOST GAMES WITH MORE THAN 3 TD PASTS, HISTORY OF THE FRANCHISE
| Range | Player | Games
| 1. | Quarterback Joe Montana | 38
| 2. | QB Steve Young | 36
| 3. | QB Jeff Garcia | 14
| 4. | QB Brock Purdy | 9
| 5t. | Quarterback John Brodie | 8
| | Quarterback Alex Smith | 8
In another apt metaphor for how the 49ers’ season has gone, Purdy abandoned his historic performance in the fourth quarter after injuring his right elbow on a sack. It would be the last play of his third NFL season, as 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan revealed on Tuesday. that Purdy won’t play in San Francisco’s regular-season finale while dealing with an elbow bruise on his throwing arm.
Purdy is eligible for sign lucrative contract extension with the 49ers this offseason, and it remains to be seen how the team’s failure to meet expectations in 2024 will affect the process. But it’s clear that Purdy has had success in San Francisco, and he’s done well enough to make history in the NFL.
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