Packers' Wyatt: When 49ers' Purdy is pressured, turnover is 'guarantee'
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was one of the NFL's best quarterbacks under pressure in 2023, but Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt doesn't think the second-year passer will replicate that success when they face off on Saturday.
"When D-linemen just get pressure into him, he's always throwing off, or it's behind them or it's overthrown or short," Wyatt said of Purdy on Wednesday, according to Rob Reischel of Forbes.com. "There will be a lot of picks and stuff like that. So when you get pressure on him, it's a guarantee we'll get a turnover."
Purdy ranked second in completion percentage, third in yards per completion, and fifth in passer rating under pressure among starting quarterbacks during the regular season, according to PFF. He did throw six interceptions when pressured, however, the sixth-most in the league.
The NFL's most efficient passer in the regular season, Purdy finished the campaign with 31 touchdown passes against 11 interceptions. He's under center for a San Francisco offense that had four players with at least 1,000 scrimmage yards: Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle. McCaffrey led the league with 2,023 total yards and 23 touchdowns.
The Packers are hot as they travel to face the 49ers in the divisional round after defeating the Dallas Cowboys in the wild-card matchup. Green Bay's defense has been below average in yards allowed but ranked 11th in QB pressures created in 2023. The unit also amassed 45 sacks during the regular season and took down Dak Prescott four times during Sunday's win.
Wyatt - a first-round pick in 2022 - improved during his sophomore campaign after not playing much in Year 1. The Georgia product recorded 36 tackles (six for loss), 11 QB hits, and 5.5 sacks in 2023.