The San Francisco 49ers‘ 2023 season has been a story of dominance. First, it was taking the top seed in the NFC. Now, it’s playing in the Super Bowl. A big part of their success has been quarterback Brock Purdy. Despite the success, though, Purdy has received lots of flack, including some from former NFL MVP Cam Newton.
Newton’s comments on Purdy have resulted in conversations around the NFL world, including Hall of Famer Warren Sapp, who had strong words for Newton.
Cam Newton Ripped by Warren Sapp for Comments on Brock Purdy
Purdy is in his second NFL season after being taken with the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. In his 25 career games, he’s passed for 5,654 yards, 44 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.
Newton has been open about calling Purdy a game manager, claiming he is lifted up by his supporting cast on offense. His offensive weapons include Christian McCaffery, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and more.
“Brock, they’re not winning because of him,” said Newton. “He’s managing the game. Purdy, Tua Tagovailoa, Jared Goff, and Dak Prescott — these are game managers. They’re not difference-makers. They don’t have to score every time … If we’re really going to call a spade a spade, a game manager is different than a game changer.”
Purdy finished 2023 as a finalist for the MVP award. In 2023 alone, he passed for 4,280 yards, 31 TDs, and 11 INTs. With Purdy as the team’s starter, they went 12-4.
Most recently, though, Newton has gone on the record to elaborate on that point. “Brock Purdy is the 10th-best player on the 49ers,” said Newton on a recent episode of the 4th and 1 Show.
Sapp, a former defensive tackle of 13 seasons, appeared on “Fearless with Jason Whitlock,” where he spoke about Newton doubling down on calling Purdy a game manager. “Cam is just being an a**,” said Sapp. “I don’t know why, but he is.”
“I don’t know why Cam is so angry … If you wasn’t that guy, let’s not get on these podcasts talking like you was that guy,” said Sapp. “Cam, you were a glorified running back, son.”
.@warrensapp on Cam Newton’s comment about Brock Purdy not being in the 10 best players on the 49ers – “Cam’s just being an a**… if you not that guy, let’s not get on these podcasts talking like you was that guy.” pic.twitter.com/PG5KbOYbdW
— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) February 2, 2024
Newton played in 148 career games, where he passed for 32,382 yards, 194 touchdowns, and 123 interceptions. Additionally, he ran for 5,628 yards and 75 scores on 1,118 attempts.
Newton’s best season came in 2015, when he passed for 3,837 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also ran for 636 yards and 10 more touchdowns. He and the Carolina Panthers went 15-1 in the regular season and went all the way to the Super Bowl, where they fell to the Denver Broncos.
KEEP READING: Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo Defends Brock Purdy
Newton’s career up to that point had been one that left many thinking he’d end up in the Hall of Fame.
However, he suffered an injury to his throwing shoulder in December of 2016 trying to make a tackle post-interception. According to Newton, the injury is what changed the rest of his career for the worse.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!