SANTA CLARA — So much pressure is on a quarterback to deliver a Super Bowl win, and while Patrick Mahomes did it for a third time Sunday for the Kansas City Chiefs in beating the 49ers, Brock Purdy’s season further convinced the 49ers he’s their man for the trophy-hunting job.
“That’s what you need in this league, and we’ve got one,” defensive end Nick Bosa said Tuesday.
Two days after losing the Super Bowl 25-22 in overtime, none of Bosa, Purdy and Kyle Shanahan had watched a replay of that heartbreaker. Over those 48 hours, however, Purdy consoled his teammates.
“More than anything, I was just telling them I was sorry and I pray we have an opportunity again together to get back and finish it,” Purdy said.
One player Purdy apologized to directly: wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk had just three receptions for 49 yards on six targets in the Super Bowl. Purdy regretted not targeting Aiyuk on a blitz and instead threw a third-down incompletion toward Jauan Jennings on their final drive of regulation. “That’s something I have to learn from and be real with myself,” Purdy said. “I told BA, ‘Obviously I wish I hit you there or at least attempted to go to you.’ ”
Aiyuk was the 49ers’ most emotional speaker Tuesday. Wearing sunglasses and clutching a football autographed by teammates, he struggled to find words, especially to describe this team as “guys that came in to work, to be champions, every single day.”
Aiyuk’s contract is the 49ers’ top priority this offseason. He is slated to play on a fifth-year option of his rookie contract, if a long-term extension isn’t reached. General manager John Lynch said “of course” the 49ers want to keep Aiyuk.
“Kyle calls him a warrior all the time, because of the way he goes out and competes,” Lynch said. “That shines through to anybody, whether you’re a trained eye or a fan. You can see the passion, the production. We’re extremely prideful in what he’s become. He should be as well.”
Asked if he hopes to remain a 49er, Aiyuk replied: “If that’s the right move, yeah.” What would the right move look like? “Being a champion,” Aiyuk added.
PURDY WINS MVP HONOR
As the 49ers assembled Tuesday morning for their final team meeting, Purdy learned he’d won the 49ers’ top honor, the Len Eshmont Award, as voted upon by players for inspirational and courageous play. After all, he did set the 49ers’ single-season passing record (4,280 yards) with a throwing arm that required elbow surgery last March.
“His real first year of starting in the NFL, and he didn’t throw a football until training camp to one of us. It’s pretty impressive what he managed to do,” running back Christian McCaffrey. “Then to be the MVP of our team was pretty incredible. Lucky he’s on our team.”
Purdy’s greatest regrets from his Super Bowl debut (23-of-38 for 255 yards, one touchdown, no turnovers) were a trio of three-and-out drives in the third quarter, then his third-down incompletions that led to field goals on the final drives of regulation and overtime. The Chiefs’ man coverage and defensive schemes stymied Purdy and the offense.
“Whatever our call was, and them playing man, maybe it was something we weren’t expecting a lot of,” Purdy said. “Credit to the Chiefs’ secondary. They did a good job with getting their hands on guys early and being sticky, and being right on them.
“We all have to learn from it and understand what we can do better next time. Because I feel teams will obviously watch it and try to have that kind of plan for the next season.”
Said Shanahan: “We didn’t get it done, so all us could have done another thing. But I was real happy with how Brock played, real happy with how he played this year. Brock was unbelieveable, one of the most impressive seasons for a football player and a quarterback. He was just a stud through it all.”
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk said he never saw Purdy nervous during the Super Bowl, and Bosa hailed the jump Purdy made even after offseason surgery. “He’s got it. He’s got what it takes to have bad games and bounce back in the biggest moments,” Bosa said. “He played great the other night. Every test he’s had, he’s passed.”
Purdy’s offseason agenda: Get married next month, then get better “at my craft,” with him specifically seeking better mobility, from his shoulder to his hips. “I’m excited to truly get better at my craft,” Purdy added.
WILKS’ CLOUDY FATE
Whether Steve Wilks’ first season as the defensive coordinator will be his last remains to be determined. Shanahan said he expects all his assistants to return, although pass-game coordinator Klint Kubiak reportedly was hired as the New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator. “No, that’s stuff that we will talk about a ton as this week goes. We’ll talk about a ton in the offseason,” Shanahan said.
BURFORD TAKES BLAME
Right guard Spencer Burford took accountability for Chiefs pass rusher Chris Jones coming almost unblocked to hurry Purdy’s final pass, from the 9-yard line in overtime. “I should have stayed in the B gap and stayed on Chris,” Burford said. ” … It was just me, bro, playing on instinct rather than game strategy. That’s why rules are put into place. Follow rules.”
Burford replaced injured starter Jon Feliciano, who, on Monday, took to Twitter/X to vent that right tackle Colton McKivitz was not responsible for blocking Jones, thus exposing Burford as the culprit. Burford said he’s received an apology from Feliciano, and the focus now becomes offseason training to reclaim the starting job. “I pray if we ever get put in this situation, which I hope we’re in New Orleans (for next year’s Super Bowl), I’ll do everything in my willpower that we’ll hold the Lombardi at the end of the season,” Burford said.
INJURY UPDATES
Defensive tackles Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave each battled through serious injuries this season. Armstead said he tore the meniscus in his right knee Dec. 2 at Philadelphia, and Lynch said Hargrave endured a torn thumb ligament.
Tight end George Kittle said he’d yet to undergo an exam on the shoulder he injured after halftime Sunday.
As for linebacker Dre Greenlaw’s second-quarter Achilles tear, Fred Warner said: “He’s down but has a good mindset. He’s eager to get the surgery so he can get to rehab and get back to work. I have no doubt in my mind he’ll come better than he was. He’s made of the right stuff. Yeah, he’ll be back.”
KITTLE’S RESPONSE
Four years ago, tight end George Kittle was mic’d up at the Super Bowl and vowed after that loss he would make it back. What did he say after losing again? Not much, other than to think he had “more to give. … They scored. I was pretty silent. Not much to react to. Just walked off the field with teammates.”
As for having the Chiefs on his mind to fuel another offseason, Kittle said: “I don’t really take a lot to be motivated. I attack it the way I do. I love the game of football and putting myself out there on Sunday with my boys.”
OTHER AWARDS
Team awards also went to running back Christian McCaffrey (Bill Walsh Award), linebacker Fred Warner (Hazeltine Iron Man Award), safety Ji’Ayir Brown (Thomas Herrion Memorial Award), defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (Ed Block Courage Award), tight end George Kittle (Perry/Yonamine Unity Award),. Community Relations Service Awards: Linebacker Curtis Robinson and offensive lineman Ilm Manning. Also, general manager John Lynch’s wife, Linda Lynch, received the family award. The inaugural “position” group award was given to the linebackers.
NINE RE-SIGNED
Practice-squad players who were signed to future contracts: offensive lineman Sebastian Gutierrez, defensive back Kemon Hall, safety Erik Harris, safety Tayler Hawkins, wide receiver Tay Martin, defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonu, linebacker Curtis Robinson, tight end Jake Tonges and defensive lineman Spencer Waege.