Kyle Shanahan has built a career around helping pocket passers shine, and Brock Purdy has been no exception.
In a season that ended with a heartbreaking 3-point defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, Purdy cemented himself as the most accurate passer on throws of 20 yards or deeper with a 55% completion rate.
completion % on passes of 20+ yards
55% – Brock Purdy
54%
53%
52%
51%
50% – Tua Tagovailoa
49% – C.J. Stroud, Dak Prescott
48% – Kirk Cousins, Jared Goff, Matthew Stafford
47%
46% – Geno Smith, Jake Browning
45%
44% – Desmond Ridder
43% – Trevor Lawrence
42%
41% – Justin Fields…— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) July 20, 2024
Purdy's success on those passes can at least partly be attributed to the talents of his receiving corps, specifically Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.
So what does Aiyuk’s recent trade request mean for the 49ers offense?
Although Aiyuk has reported for training camp despite his recent requests, Shanahan stated in a press conference Tuesday that the potential move is “not an ideal situation, but one we’re prepared for.”
The 49ers resigned Samuel in 2022 and have him under contract through the 2025 season.
They also spent their first round pick (31st overall) on former Florida Gators receiver Ricky Pearsall, whose speed, hands, and route-running ability rocketed him up the draft board.
That said, Aiyuk was Purdy’s go-to receiver when looking 20+ yards downfield last year, seeing 38.8% of the team’s deep-ball targets.
Purdy and Aiyuk connected 11 times on those throws for an average of 35.2 yards per catch.
Purdy also produced the third-lowest off-target rate on throws of 15+ yards when passing to Aiyuk this past season.
Only Samuel and Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill (under Shanahan disciple Mike McDaniel) ranked higher in this statistic.
Losing a piece that fits so well in this particular offensive scheme would naturally suggest an adjustment period.
Even if this move were to happen, the 49ers offense remains one of the highest caliber units in the league, ranking first on our list of top receiving corps. Purdy will not be without weapons.
We’ll have to wait to see if Aiyuk is traded.
If he is, was he truly the key to the team’s recent success down the field, or can Shanahan develop a replacement to fill Aiyuk’s role in this dangerous Niners scheme?
