“Nothing about him is sizzle or swag”: Mike Florio pours cold water on Brock Purdy’s “aura” while downplaying 49ers QB’s ability to emit star power

Brock Purdy, like Patrick Mahomes for very different reasons, has seen various comparisons to Tom Brady. Like Brady, Purdy was a forgotten pick at the end of the 2022 NFL Draft. Today, he is anything but forgotten. However, doubters still exist despite a Super Bowl appearance and multiple playoff runs in his career.

Mike Florio dipped his toe into the doubting waters, calling out Purdy's lack of "aura." The statement was made in a recent edition of Pro Football Talk in a clip posted on X by 49ers fan account Coach Yac.

“One of the reasons that football became as popular as it did, it is a visual sport that thrives on TV," Florio stated. And as it relates to Brock Purdy, for whatever reason, and this is separate from the play, there’s nothing about him that is sizzle or swag. Nothing.

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Even when he does the dancing, it’s kind of queued. He doesn’t have an aura. I know 49ers fans are gonna be upset, but he’s like Clark Kent who, when he becomes Superman, he’s still Clark Kent.”

While Purdy has been heating up in recent weeks, Florio hasn't forgotten about Purdy's first four games, which saw him throw for eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. Those interceptions came against the Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks. However, despite a slow start, things look much different now.

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Brock Purdy's incredible turnaround hits notable benchmark against Chicago Bears

Purdy at Chicago Bears v San Francisco 49ers - NFL 2025 - Source: Getty

While many would rank 2025 lower than 2024 for Brock Purdy thanks to injury issues and turnover troubles early in the year, the wind is changing. Thanks to an explosive three-game run, Purdy tied his touchdown total from 2024 against the Chicago Bears.

In 2024, Purdy threw for 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 15 games. In 2025, after defeating the Bears, Purdy has thrown for 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions in eight games. With only one more touchdown pass against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18, Purdy will have thrown for more touchdown passes in 2025 than in 2024 despite playing about half as many games.

Of course, the Seattle Seahawks were the team that set things off-kilter at the start of the year on Sept. 7 when Purdy threw two interceptions. However, he also threw two touchdowns, so the goal for the 49ers quarterback will be to put out a better ratio this time around.

Edited by Ian Van Roy