2025 11 17T003534Z 145978136 MT1USATODAY27608615 RTRMADP 3 NFL SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS
Kyle Shanahan Explains the Challenge Brock Purdy Faces on Nearly 40% of Throws 1
Brock Purdy has made the difficult parts of the San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense look almost routine. Through two games, the 49ers quarterback has completed 45 of 56 passes, good for 80.4%, while San Francisco has opened the season 2-0, however, there is a part of the job that even Purdy cannot fully control.
The QB recently explained that he often cannot actually see the receiver when releasing the ball. That sounds wild on the surface, especially for a passer playing at this level. However, Shanahan says it is simply part of the challenge every NFL quarterback faces from inside the pocket.
Kyle Shanahan Details Brock Purdy’s Nearly Invisible Throwing Windows
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Jan 17, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) leaves the field following an NFC Divisional Round game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
On September 26, Shanahan agreed with Purdy’s claim that he cannot see the intended receiver on roughly 40% of his throws. The 49ers head coach explained that crowded throwing lanes make vision one of the hardest parts of playing quarterback.
“Yeah, I do think that’s right. Playing in the pocket in this league there’s not a lot of windows and I don’t care how tall you are, you rarely see over people. Especially over Olinemen and Dlinemen when they’re getting their hands up. Then there’s linebackers that you have to see over and drop it over and behind them. It’s really hard to see. I think it’s one of the toughest things at the quarterback position.”
Kyle Shanahan on Brock Purdy saying he typically can’t see the receiver he’s throwing to about 40% of the time:
“Yeah, I do think that’s right. Playing in the pocket in this league there’s not a lot of windows and I don’t care how tall you are, you rarely see over people.… pic.twitter.com/sdHxvgifkC
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) September 26, 2026
That puts more context around what Purdy is doing. A quarterback isn’t always looking directly at the player he is throwing toward. Offensive and defensive linemen can block his sightline, while linebackers can sit underneath routes and force him to place the ball over or behind them.
And Purdy has become better at handling those situations as his experience has grown. Shanahan previously explained during an NBC Sports Bay Area interview with Matt Maiocco, reported September 2026, that the veteran now understands the reasoning behind the offense much better than he did when he first became the starter. Instead of simply knowing his assignment, he has accumulated enough experience to recognize defensive looks and react faster.
That growth matters when the signal-caller cannot rely entirely on his eyes. Purdy has faced different coverages, blitzes, and defensive approaches since taking over late in the 2022 season. Each experience gives him another reference point when he has to make a throw without a completely clear view of the target.
Shanahan also praised Purdy’s consistency and ability to stay level through mistakes. The coach said the 26-year-old has played at a high level from the beginning, making his development less about a dramatic transformation and more about adding experience to an already strong foundation.
That becomes even more important now, with injuries affecting San Francisco’s receiving group and Nick Bosa expected to miss multiple weeks, the 49ers will need Purdy to keep navigating those crowded windows.