What happened: Kittle publicly endorsed his quarterback by stating that Purdy is just as effective running the football as throwing it. The tight end entered the league when San Francisco selected him in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, 146th overall, out of Iowa.

Why it matters: While Purdy creates second-chance opportunities by extending plays outside the pocket, his production relies overwhelmingly on passing efficiency rather than designed ground gains. Equating his scrambling ability to his primary passing skillset turns standard quarterback mobility into an exaggerated comparison.