GLENDALE, Ariz. – Even before the 49ers’ 45-29 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at State Farm Stadium, talk of MVP awards revolved around both Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey.
Purdy completed 16 of 25 attempts for 242 yards and an impressive four touchdowns at home in Arizona, but he still doesn’t think he deserves the award.
“I think Christian should be the MVP,” Purdy said after the game. “I really believe that. He does everything for us. He runs the ball well, he catches the ball, he does everything. In my eyes, that’s the MVP.”
McCaffrey finished the game with 18 carries for 115 yards and one touchdown, while also catching five targets for 72 yards and two scores. The All-Pro leads the league in rushing with nearly 1,300 yards, an average of more than 92 yards per game and 1,801 yards passing.
After the game, Trent Williams refused to pick which of his teammates deserved the honor.
“I know you’re not going to ask me that question,” Williams said with a laugh. “You might as well go for the next one.”
During the 2023 NFL season, Purdy completed 268 of 384 attempts for 3,795 yards and 29 touchdowns, giving him a 69.7 percent completion rate through 14 games. Purdy also leads the league in most metrics for a quarterback, including touchdown percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating.
“That means the offense is playing right,” Williams said. “We’ve got the best running back in the NFL. For him to get MVP consideration, that’s only fitting and the same goes for Brock. Brock has been playing the edge.”
“So to have him in the conversation, as a teammate, I couldn’t be more proud of those two guys.”
The last time a non-quarterback won the NFL MVP was in 2012, when Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson took home the honor. That season, Peterson carried the ball for a league-high 2,097 yards, scored 12 rushing touchdowns and averaged 131.1 yards per game.
But Williams and the rest of the locker room have their sights set on more glory than MVP, and that’s a trip to Las Vegas in February.
“My job is to try to continue to help them have success, and who cares?” Williams said. “That’s all I care about until we get that trophy back to Santa Clara.”
Purdy, ever humble, is on the same page as the left tackle.
“I’m honored, but I think there’s a great team in my area and guys can play,” Purdy said. “I’m trying to do my part to help the team win. I’m honored to hear it, but I think we have an overall MVP team.