San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy may not be the tallest signal-caller in the NFL, but he has learned to thrive despite a significant challenge, he often can’t see where he’s throwing the ball.
Purdy recently revealed on the Built 4 More Podcast that he makes approximately 40% of his throws without a direct line of sight to his intended target. At 6-foot-1, he is shorter than every offensive lineman in front of him, making vision a constant battle. Still, the former last-overall pick has developed a keen sense of anticipation and awareness to overcome this limitation.
Mastering The Art Of Anticipation
During the podcast, Purdy explained how critical it is for quarterbacks, regardless of height, to rely on preparation, instincts, and understanding of defensive schemes rather than simply spotting open receivers.
“My quarterback coach, Brian Griese, he and I talked a lot about that,” Purdy said. “We got talking about how, really, it’s 60/40. You can see about 60% of the time, and the other 40%, you really can’t. It doesn’t matter how big you are.”
49ers’ QB Brock Purdy says that about 40% of the time, he can’t see his intended target on downfield throws due to the size of the linemen in front of him.
— Football Forever (@fballforeverhq) March 29, 2025
Purdy, who’s listed as 6-foot-1, talks about how important it is to know coverages, the scheme and where his WRs should be. pic.twitter.com/vtOQHKizRD
Purdy emphasized that success under center isn’t just about physical attributes but about processing the game at a high level. He pointed out that pre-snap reads and understanding defensive rotations help him compensate for moments when he loses sight of his receivers behind towering linemen.
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“Before the play, I know that this safety will probably rotate down. It’s going to be one-high, and I’ve got one hitch, no more than that, to rip it to where Deebo’s supposed to be—just inside the hash,” Purdy explained. “And there’s a backer that also has a 40-inch vert that I’ve got to throw over… All those things.”
His comments mark a reality for quarterbacks who aren’t blessed with towering frames. Elite quarterbacks are able to process coverages, anticipate movements, and trust in their teammates’ positioning.
While Brock Purdy’s height may be a challenge, his ability to overcome it has helped him lead the 49ers to success. His journey proves that quarterbacking is about far more than just size- it’s about vision, even when you can’t see.
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