George Kittle Reveals Surprising Change in Brock Purdy’s Leadership This Season

There’s something electric about the way Brock Purdy has stepped into his own this offseason — and it’s more than just the new contract he signed this week. You see, leadership isn’t just about numbers on paper or the dollars attached to a deal; it’s about presence, voice, and the undeniable aura a leader carries in the locker room and beyond. According to George Kittle, Purdy didn’t need a formal announcement or waiting for legalities to settle before turning up the volume on his role. Heading into his fourth NFL campaign, Purdy’s embracing the full weight of being the 49ers’ frontline general, commanding attention and respect in team settings like never before. And honestly, watching a young quarterback keep his feet grounded while expanding his influence, both on and off the field, is just downright inspiring. There’s a clear plan in motion, one that pairs his expanding leadership with performance, aiming to cement Purdy not just as a temporary fix but as a cornerstone of the San Francisco offense for years to come. LEARN MORE

Purdy is heading into his fourth NFL season and the contract extension solidifies his role as a team leader. Kittle said that is a role that Purdy has leaned into since the start of the team’s offseason work. Purdy’s contract is structured in a way that the 49ers could get out of it before the full five years are up, but the plan is for his off-field leadership and on-field production to mesh in a way that makes him a long-term fixture in the offense. Brock Purdy got a new contract this week, but 49ers tight end George Kittle said that the quarterback didn’t wait for the ink to dry on that agreement before making a noticeable change to the way he carries himself around the team facility. “One thing I’ve already seen from Brock this offseason, just being back around for all of [the offseason program] and stuff, is just his voice is heard significantly more in the building, which I love, whether he’s breaking down the team, talking in the locker room,” Kittle said, via 49ersWebzone.com. “He’s always kind, he’s always nice to everybody, but he’s just more vocal to everybody in team settings, which is huge. And people, when they hear the quarterback talk, your head kind of snaps. That’s what you listen for because he’s the face, the leader of the team. And so, when you have a guy like that, who’s continually growing . . . it’s just awesome to see a young guy keep his feet in the ground, and then want to work hard, and want to make all the guys around him really good. So, that’s one of the things I’ve just been happy with seeing.”