49ers' Christian McCaffrey, Brock Purdy talk up division rival Seahawks before Super Bowl: 'Hell of a team'

San Francisco 49ers stars Christian McCaffrey, Brock Purdy praise the Seattle Seahawks after eliminating the Niners en route to their Super Bowl appearance.

SAN FRANCISCO – The assumption before the season was that the Seattle Seahawks would be on the outside looking in at the Super Bowl, but just about everyone was wrong.

The team's offseason included a major overhaul, trading away Geno Smith, signing Sam Darnold, and even letting DK Metcalf go to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Those moves turned out to be for the better, as they clinched the NFC's top seed with a 14-3 record and are now one win away from their first title in 12 years.

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Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Nick Emmanwori of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lumen Field on Jan. 17, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. (Harry How/Getty Images)

The Seahawks dismantled their division rival, the San Francisco 49ers, in Week 18 to clinch the top seed and then did so again two weeks later in the divisional round.

"They're a hell of a team. You know, they beat us in both those games. They definitely had our number in both those games. We had to play better, we needed to limit our mistakes," Christian McCaffrey told Fox News Digital on Radio Row.

"They're a really well-coached team. Obviously, they got talent across the board, their defense is good, Sam leading the offense with Klint Kubiak," added Brock Purdy. "They've done a really good job, man. They've earned it. They're a team that we have to obviously be ready for every single week, or every time we play them. Across the board, a really good team."

Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers is