Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Brock Purdy makes 49ers offense a daunting challenge, says Vikings coach

Originally posted on 49ers Webzone | By David Bonilla | Last updated 10/21/23

In his second season at the helm of the Minnesota Vikings, head coach Kevin O'Connell is gearing up for a crucial Week 7 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. With the Vikings owning a 2-4 record, a victory is vital to build momentum after their recent 19-13 win over the Chicago Bears.

The Vikings have been dominant on their home turf against the 49ers. The last time San Francisco secured a win in Minnesota dates back to December 13, 1992. The Vikings are riding an impressive six-game winning streak at home against the Niners.

As the 49ers prepare to break this streak and rebound from their first loss of the season, they'll rely on the talents of their second-year quarterback, Brock Purdy.

Purdy, the final overall pick in last year's draft, last faced the Vikings 429 days ago, in a preseason game. At the time, he wore No. 14, was third on the depth chart, and, other than being recognized as "Mr. Irrelevant," was a relatively unknown player.

When #49ers and #Vikings meet on Monday night, it will have been 429 days since QB Brock Purdy last played Minnesota. That was a preseason game and Purdy was rotating with Nate Sudfeld and not even wearing No. 13 yet. Suffice to say, A LOT has changed in 429 days. pic.twitter.com/2HXOaP8xCR— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 21, 2023

Since then, Purdy has started 14 games, suffering only two losses. The first was a game in which he sustained a UCL injury, requiring an offseason of rehabilitation. The second came last weekend against the Cleveland Browns.

In a recent appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, O'Connell praised Purdy's accomplishments and emphasized the quarterback's unique strengths. The 23-year-old quarterback has displayed the composure and leadership often associated with a seasoned veteran.

"I think it would be easy to look back on where he was drafted and start talking about him in a way of just how much he's been able to overcome this, that, and the other," O'Connell shared with Eisen. "But I look at it a different way. When I turn on the tape, you see a quarterback that is playing the position, sees the field, total command of that offense, which my background of just kind of studying and learning and talking to, whether it's [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] or anybody else, he's got a lot on his plate."

O'Connell's background, which includes coaching quarterbacks in Cleveland and Washington, has provided insight into the position's intricacies. In Purdy, he sees a quarterback capable of orchestrating plays and putting his team in a position for success.

"And for a rookie, last year, to be able to do what he did and then to continue to just build on positive performances throughout his early part of his career, it's very impressive," O'Connell continued. "But then you realize very quickly it's consistent."

O'Connell marvels at Purdy's consistency, adding that the quarterback's ability to command the offense and utilize some of the NFL's premier offensive talent makes the 49ers offense "an incredible challenge to try to defend."