Brock Purdy and Kyle Shanahan sound off on Philip Rivers ahead of the 49ers-Colts matchup.
The San Francisco 49ers are entering a pivotal stretch of the season with little margin for error, but plenty of belief.
As they prepare for their upcoming matchup, attention has shifted not only to the playoff race in the NFC West but also to the presence of veteran quarterback Philip Rivers on the other sideline, a player whose return to the field has drawn admiration from both Brock Purdy and Kyle Shanahan.
Thursday night’s dramatic comeback by the Seahawks, who erased a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit against the Rams to win 38-37 in overtime, shook up the division standings.
Seattle now holds the inside track in the NFC West, but the door remains wide open.
San Francisco sits at 10-4, just a half-game back of Los Angeles, which has played one more game. With the Colts, Bears, and Seahawks still left on the schedule, the challenge is significant.
However, since they still have the Seahawks on their schedule, they control their own destiny in the division.
Win out, and the 49ers would win a potential three-way tie between them, Seattle, and Los Angeles, which would likely make them the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
While postseason math looms large, the story of Rivers’ return has captivated the locker room.
Purdy, speaking to reporters Friday, expressed genuine amazement at what Rivers has been able to do after such a long layoff from the game.
“It’s insane,” Purdy said. “To basically step away and come back five years later, then operate an offense and put your team in position to win, that’s crazy.”
Purdy emphasized that the quarterback isn’t the protected position many assume it is.
He pointed out the constant hits, the need to scramble, throw under pressure, and immediately regroup for the next snap.
For Rivers to handle all of that after years away, Purdy said, is nothing short of remarkable. “He’s a Hall of Famer,” Purdy added. “Competing against someone like that is an honor. We respect him a ton.”
Head coach Kyle Shanahan offered a similarly respectful, but more analytical breakdown when asked about Rivers’ tape.
Shanahan acknowledged that age naturally changes a quarterback’s physical tools, but said the fundamentals remain elite.
“He knows how to play the position as well as anyone,” Shanahan said.
He praised Rivers’ accuracy, noting that nearly every throw was on time and on target, and highlighted how effectively he attacked coverages and handled an intense pass rush. “He’s one of the best quarterbacks I’ve ever watched,” Shanahan said.
The question now is whether Rivers’ experience can overcome the physical demands of the game.
The 49ers are hoping their pressure and pace can test those limits, earn a fifth straight win, and keep their championship aspirations firmly alive as December football ramps up.