December 23, 2024. The 49ers were already eliminated from playoff contention, but Brock Purdy still had a chance to finish on a high note. Instead, with two minutes left against Miami and a comeback drive alive, he was hit as he threw – and the ball fluttered into the arms of nickel defender Kader Kohou. Game over, season over. It wasn’t just an unlucky hit. It was the kind of interception that’s become uncomfortably familiar for a quarterback whose biggest flaw refuses to go away.

Now, don’t get it twisted – Purdy isn’t a bust. He’s set records, dragged San Francisco to January, and carved his name into team history books. But when the highlight reel pauses, there’s always one frame that sneaks in. A ball floating just a little too long. A defender cutting under the route. Another interception. If “Mr. Irrelevant” was once his brand, the risk now is a cruel rebranding: Mr. Interceptions.

That trend carried into training camp, where 49ers insider Grant Cohn cut through the usual ‘everything’s great’ optimism. He noted Brock Purdy went 7 of 15 with another pick on Day 5 – the kind of stat line fans tend to shrug off. But Cohn’s point was sharper: Purdy will always flash the touch, mobility, and anticipation that made him the starter. The real issue, Cohn argued, is that the interceptions keep showing up even when the rest of his game looks polished.

“What’s concerning to me about Brock – the interceptions guys…I think that would be the number one area where he could improve,” Cohn said. “I’m just saying 50 throws through camp, three picks. What’s translating to games is more interceptions, more frequently. And that’s bad.” Purdy has already tossed three interceptions in camp, on just 50 throws. That’s a 6% interception rate, nearly triple the league average of 2.2%.

Cohn’s gripe wasn’t about a single throw, but the trend. Yes, Purdy dazzled with his scrambling, accuracy, and layered throws. But when he tried to force a ball to George Kittle, Jason Pinnock tipped it, and Dee Winters came down with it. “It wasn’t a terrible throw. It wasn’t a terrible decision. Really nice play by Jason Pinnock and D-Winners. But…that’s an interception,” Cohn explained. The issue? Purdy’s interception percentage has held steady across three seasons: 2.4%, 2.5%, 2.6%. Instead of shrinking with experience, it’s quietly growing.

And that’s the major weakness Purdy can’t shake. He was tied for seventh-most interceptions in the NFL last season with 12. He even made 49ers history in 2024 by becoming the first San Francisco QB since at least 1991 to throw three or more picks on drives starting in enemy territory. For a quarterback praised for efficiency, that’s the flaw that flips wins into losses. As Cohn jabbed, “Brock, I would humbly suggest practicing throwing fewer picks.” But here’s where football and life blur. While Purdy’s camp reps fuel debates, his off-field story just got a whole lot sweeter.

While camp gets rough, life just got sweeter for the Purdys

On July 28, Brock Purdy and Jenna announced the arrival of their first child, daughter Millie Joleen. The couple, who met at Iowa State, shared the news with a heartfelt black-and-white Instagram photo captioned: “Millie Joleen Purdy. Life just became a whole lot sweeter.”

From college sweethearts at Iowa State to a sunset proposal in Florida, and then a private church wedding in March 2024, Brock and Jenna have kept their milestones grounded and genuine. When Brock proposed, he captioned, “My Jenna girl forever. I can’t wait to be your husband. Here’s to forever, babe. I love you, JB!” The couple has shared each step with family and fans through simple, heartfelt posts, which felt like a preview of the life they were building. Now, Millie’s arrival is the biggest chapter yet – not just for the quarterback who carries a franchise on Sundays, but for the husband who now carries a new title: Dad.

So yes, interceptions remain the cloud hanging over Brock Purdy’s football future. But fatherhood? That’s the kind of legacy that lasts longer than any stat sheet. As Grant Cohn reminded, he’s already a really good quarterback. Now, with Jenna by his side and Millie in his arms, Purdy faces a new challenge – protecting the football on Sundays, and protecting something far more important every other day of the week.