Kyle Shanahan’s passing offense is about timing and rhythm. Getting the football out on time and to the correct read to maximize yards after the catch is the name of the game. However, football is never perfect, and there are times when things get off schedule or require more from the quarterback and the offense. If the secondary is covering well or if immediate pressure from the defensive line gets home, Brock Purdy is more than capable of moving his feet and creating outside of the pocket.
The off-script,
out-of-the-pocket plays that Purdy has put on film since taking over as the starter give defenses one more thing to account for. Purdy isn’t going to run like Lamar Jackson, but he will take advantage and hurt the opposition with his legs. Those plays are backbreakers because, for the most part, a defense played the down as well as you could, but the quarterback snuck in a first down or big play by being mobile.
But is Purdy more efficient inside the pocket than outside? The first thing to point out before comparing the numbers is that Purdy plays in the pocket far more than outside. That seems obvious for any quarterback. Let’s look at the numbers, courtesy of Football Insights.
Inside the pocket (2024-2025):
Snaps: 732
EPA/DB: 0.19
Success %: 52.6%
CPOE: 3.2%
Only Josh Allen, Jared Goff, Jordan Love, and Lamar Jackson have a higher EPA/DB from the pocket than Purdy. With a 52.6% success rate, Purdy and Goff are tied. Purdy’s completion percentage over expectation is closer to the middle of the pack, but from the pocket, Purdy has been one of the best in the NFL. Considering how injured the 49ers were at receiver, Purdy’s numbers are that much more impressive.
Outside the pocket (2024-2025):
Snaps: 174
EPA/DB: 0.06
Success %: 44.8%
CPOE: 6.8%
Funny enough, Mac Jones leads all quarterbacks with a 14.8% CPOE outside the pocket on 80 snaps. Joe Burrow is second at 8.3%, and Purdy’s 6.8% is good for third. Purdy’s ability to complete difficult passes is driving this number.
While the sample size is smaller, the numbers take significant dips outside of CPOE. That’s to be expected. Sometimes there are plays to be had running from the pocket, and other times you live to play another down. This table takes out sneaks and spikes, but I would imagine not throwaways.
Still, the conclusion is simple. Making plays outside of the pocket is the bonus that Purdy brings to the offense, but when this offense is rolling, it’s still happening from the pocket.
