Few NFL quarterbacks spark as much debate as Brock Purdy and Tua Tagovailoa. Purdy, the last pick in his draft, has exceeded expectations but faces criticism as a “system quarterback.” Meanwhile, Tagovailoa, one of the league’s highest-paid players, fights the same label while Miami struggles in big games.
Both quarterbacks have shown brilliance, but their 2024 seasons raise questions about their ceilings and what lies ahead. To unpack their performances, let’s dive into the numbers, criticisms, and context.
Brock Purdy And The San Francisco 49ers
Purdy’s career has been a rollercoaster. He holds the highest yards-per-attempt average (8.9) in NFL history for quarterbacks with at least 30 starts. Last year, he set a single-season record with 9.6 yards per attempt. But in 2024, things have changed. Purdy’s record stands at 6-7 with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions, reflecting the crumbling infrastructure around him.
Injuries Decimate Purdy’s Supporting Cast
The 49ers’ offensive success hinges on their “big five”: Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Trent Williams. In 2023, they played 13 games together. This year, none have suited up simultaneously.
When the “big five” play, Purdy thrives (17-4 record, 38 TDs, 8 INTs). Without them, his record drops to 10-9 with 25 TDs and 15 INTs, including playoffs. His critics point to these struggles as evidence of his reliance on elite teammates.
Struggles In Adverse Situations
Purdy has faced difficulties when playing from behind. He has seven career touchdown passes and 13 interceptions in the second half of tied or trailing games, including playoffs. This season, he’s converted just 3-of-11 game-tying or go-ahead drives in the fourth quarter or overtime. Notably, the 49ers’ defense has also faltered in these situations, amplifying the team’s struggles.
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Scheme Adjustments Needed
NFL defenses have adjusted to Kyle Shanahan’s offense. The 49ers rank last in average target separation (3.0) in 2024, compared to 13th last year (3.5). Purdy’s YAC per completion has dropped from 6.6 to 5.2. As Jerry Rice and Steve Young recently noted, Shanahan needs to innovate to combat defensive strategies like man-press coverage and clogged passing lanes.
Also Read: What To Expect From Brock Purdy’s New Contract With San Francisco 49ers?
Tua Tagovailoa And The Miami Dolphins
Tagovailoa’s numbers look great on the surface. He leads the NFL in completion percentage (73.7%) this year and has been critical to Miami’s offense. The Dolphins average 23.6 points per game with him compared to 10.0 without him. However, the team’s inability to beat quality opponents raises alarms.
Struggles Against Winning Teams
The Dolphins are 1-10 against winning teams over the last two years, the worst mark in the NFL. Tagovailoa’s performance mirrors this trend: 1-9 with 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions against winning teams versus 15-2 with 34 touchdowns and nine interceptions against weaker competition.
Late-season games in cold weather have also been a problem. Tagovailoa is 4-9 with 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in December and January since 2022. Miami’s seven coldest starts with him under center have all ended in losses.
Defensive Adjustments Neutralize Miami’s Offense
The Dolphins’ explosive offense from 2022 has largely disappeared. Defenses have countered with two high safety looks and congested intermediate zones, forcing Tagovailoa to rely on shorter throws. Consider these shifts:
- In 2022, Tagovailoa had the second-longest average pass and ranked second in explosive pass rate. In 2024, he has the shortest average pass and ranks 31st in explosive pass rate.
- Miami led the NFL with 60 completions of 20+ air yards from 2022-23. This year, they have just nine.
Defenses are playing cover-2 against him 29% of the time, the highest rate ever recorded since 2017. McDaniel’s scheme, once a revelation, now looks stale, with fewer deep strikes and a reliance on short passes to running backs and tight ends.
Brock Purdy and Tua Tagovailo’s System Quarterback Debate: Final Verdict
Are Brock Purdy and Tua Tagovailoa system quarterbacks? To some extent, yes – but so are most NFL quarterbacks. Both have benefited from elite coaching and strong supporting casts but have faced unfair criticisms.
Brock Purdy: More Than A “Game Manager”
Purdy has proven he can stretch the field and make plays under pressure. His ability to extend plays and hit tight windows sets him apart from past 49ers quarterbacks like Jimmy Garoppolo. However, his inconsistency in adverse situations must improve, especially if San Francisco commits to a lucrative extension.
Tua Tagovailoa: Can He Win Big Games?
Tagovailoa’s struggles in big games and against strong defenses remain a major concern. While he excels in McDaniel’s system, he must overcome these hurdles to justify his $53 million annual salary.
Final Takeaway
Brock Purdy and Tua Tagovailoa give their teams a chance to win, even in challenging circumstances. While they may not be Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow, they are top-15 quarterbacks who can lead playoff-caliber teams. Their teams’ success depends on adjustments from Shanahan and McDaniel and their continued growth under pressure.
You can label them as “system quarterbacks,” but the truth is more nuanced. They aren’t perfect, but they’re far from liabilities. For now, both franchises can feel optimistic about their futures with Purdy and Tagovailoa at the helm.
Also Read: What’s Behind Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa’s Comeback After Three Concussions?
