Patrick Willis was at Allegiant Stadium earlier this month to watch his San Francisco 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.
It was a week of celebration for the Niners legend, who was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame after eight phenomenal seasons in the league. However, she hoped the 49ers would eventually capture the Vince Lombardi Trophy, something she was unable to do despite the great success she had in the Bay Area.
Although he enjoyed how defensive the game was, considering it's the side of the ball he knows best, Willis didn't like the end result when the 49ers fell to the Chiefs in overtime.
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Patrick Willis, NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2024, poses during Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Willis has had some time to think about the game, but he used the old line to comment on what could have been: “Hindsight is 20/20.”
However, despite the loss, Willis continues to believe in his 49ers heading into 2024, particularly at the quarterback position with Brock Purdy.
“I'm a Purdy believer,” he told Fox News Digital over the phone while discussing his work with CoachTube.
'BAD COACHING' REASONS FOR 49ERS' SUPER BOWL LVIII LOSS NOT BROCK PURDY, SAYS FORMER NFL STAR
Speaking of hindsight being 20/20 vision, Willis doesn't like those who were quick to write off Purdy after losing in the Super Bowl.
The 49ers' offense stalled in the second half, leading to the Chiefs' comeback to force overtime. It wasn't a perfect performance, but in just his second season and first Super Bowl, Purdy was making good reads, running when he needed to get first downs and showing former players like Willis why NFL defenses respect him every time he comes in. to field. .
The “game manager” label was attached to him throughout the season, especially as the 49ers entered the playoffs. However, as one of the best linebackers in the NFL, Willis explained why he tips his cap to Purdy.
“Watching him lead the guys like he did, deal with his adversity like he did, handle it and talk about it,” Willis said.
Brock Purdy, number 13 of the San Francisco 49ers, throws a pass during the Super Bowl LVIII game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)
“I can honestly say, as a defender [thinking about] a quarterback like Purdy and to see the way he does it, he's one of those that every time you play against him you're going to have to come with that every time because he has faith that he's going to do it. what he has to do for his team to be successful. As a defender, you have to love that in a quarterback.”
The 49ers certainly love what Purdy brings to the table, even if they ended up finishing second. From a management standpoint, general manager John Lynch used his final draft pick in 2023 to select the Iowa State product, and she quickly became his franchise quarterback. That means a low cost in years to come to keep veteran weapons around him and balance the roster elsewhere.
For head coach Kyle Shanahan, Purdy's style of play fits his offense perfectly, and that has quickly become evident since he assumed the starting role midway through his rookie season.
Of course, Purdy's development is far from over. Third year is when the usual leap comes for great NFL players who understand what it takes to play a grueling season with the best the game has to offer.
Brock Purdy, number 13 of the San Francisco 49ers, throws the ball in overtime during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
However, Purdy has support within the building, as do those like Willis who used to wear gold and red during their careers.
As Purdy and the rest of the 49ers prepare for another season, Willis will be working on what to say at his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio, later this season.
Willis, who racked up 950 combined tackles during his eight seasons with the 49ers, will forever be enshrined in the Hall with the greatest to ever grace the playing field, an accomplishment that means a lot to him.
“One thing I can say now: Being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, no one can take that away from me,” he said.
Patrick Willis, NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2024, watches during Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
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“We always used to say that at the end of the year, when you look at the stat sheet and see how many sacks you have, or how many interceptions, or how many tackles, you don't remember how you got them. I just see that you have them. That's kind of how it feels to me. Now that I don't have that feeling of, 'Man, what else did I have to prove?'”
