Brock Purdy Adapts To 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan-Less Start To Training Camp

Coach Kyle Shanahan's voice in Brock Purdy's helmet has been nearly a constant at practice during Purdy's first four seasons in the NFL.

That has forced Purdy to adjust as he prepares for year five with the San Francisco 49ers with Shanahan starting training camp as a silent observer at practice rather than an active part of it following a serious car crash that left the coach with a concussion.

"He’s our guy," Purdy said about Shanahan after practice on Monday. "He’s the one leading all the team meetings and stuff and going over just situational football, what practice is going to look like. He’s our leader. It has been weird in terms of not having that. But I will say I think the assistant coaches have done a good job with stepping up."

As the starting quarterback, Purdy typically interacts with Shanahan as much or more than any other player on the team, whether it be at meetings or on the practice field where the coach typically calls in the play to the quarterback on a walkie-talkie.

That role has been given to offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak to start camp this summer as Shanahan recovers from the concussion. Offensive line coach Chris Foerster is running the team in Shanahan's absence with help from coordinators Kubiak, Raheem Morris and Brant Boyer.

Purdy said his contact with Shanahan since the car crash on July 14 has been mostly messages about Shanahan's well-being and a brief hug on the field at practice on Monday.

Shanahan once again came out about midway through practice and watched alongside general manager John Lynch for the final 45 minutes. Shanahan even had to dodge an errant deep pass from Purdy to Mike Evans.

"I saw it after and I was like, ‘Damn, I almost hit Kyle,’" Purdy said. "But I was mad we