Brock Purdy’s Top Asset: Aiyuk or Trent Williams?
Brock Purdy, tagged as Mr. Irrelevant after being the last player selected with the 262nd pick of the 2023 draft, has come a long way. Career highlights include a 2022 divisional playoff victory against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and then leading the San Francisco 49ers to the 2024 Super Bowl, where the team lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Per the First Things First show posted to X, formerly known as Twitter:
He had an amazing season in 2023, earning top 3 in many offensive categories and also leading the league in yards per attempt, with a QB rating of 113.
But despite all these accomplishments and positive outcomes, his college career and draft pick position still seem to cast doubt in the minds of many sports analysts who feel his success is dependent on the array of stars in the Niners locker room who are supporting him on the field.
Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams, two of the core members of the star-studded team, are in contract talks with the 49ers, and there is a stalemate in agreeing on terms. Williams is missing out on training camp, and Aiyuk, though present in the last training session, is still in limbo with contract negotiations.
In a case where one of these two players has to leave, who is more important to Purdy and his continued success?
Williams' and Aiyuk's contribution to the team
Aiyuk was drafted by the 49ers in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 25th overall pick. He has had an impressive career in the NFL, averaging 14.6 yards per reception and totaling 25 receiving touchdowns in the regular season.
Moreover, he is Purdy's go-to guy for deep throws and has proven to be reliable, having a career high 1,342 receiving yards last season with 75 receptions on 105 targets, the most for any WR on the team.
His value to Purdy cannot be overstated, but the 49ers have other receiving threats like Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Jauan Jennings, who threw and caught a touchdown pass in the 2024 Super Bowl.
On the other hand, Williams, who is considered the league's best left offensive tackle, is 36-years-old, and the 49ers are not willing, by all indications, to give him a guaranteed contract as he is currently one of the oldest offensive linemen in the league.
But his importance to the QB is significant, given that Purdy is right-handed, meaning Williams covers his blind side at left tackle, and he’s done a great job so far. Over the years, he has proven to be a perennial selection to the Pro Bowl and has been a first team All-Pro three times in his four years as a Niner.
Per the Law Nation Sports podcast:
The ideal situation for Purdy is to have both players present, but Williams has proven to be invaluable. A case in point was during the regular season when the 49ers were on a 3-game losing streak; Williams was out injured, and Purdy was sacked six times over those three games.