San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is not one to embrace labels. Recently, Cam Newton, the 2015 NFL MVP, referred to Purdy as a "game manager" along with other quarterbacks such as Dak Prescott and Tua Tagovailoa. When asked about Newton's comments, Purdy chose not to comment, stating that he is focused on playing quarterback and winning games.

Despite the label, Purdy and Prescott are currently the favorites in the betting odds for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, with odds of +140 and +150, respectively, according to FanDuel. Purdy's statistics this season are undeniably impressive. He leads all starting quarterbacks with an average of 9.9 yards per pass attempt and has thrown 25 touchdowns, trailing only Prescott's 28. Additionally, Purdy boasts a completion percentage of over 70%, with only Jake Browning, who has just three starts, surpassing him.

With a record of 10-3, the Niners are tied with the Cowboys, Eagles, and Ravens for the best record in the NFL. Despite Newton's comments about Purdy and other quarterbacks being "game managers" and "not difference makers," he released a video on Friday clarifying that he did not mean those labels as insults. Newton stated that a game manager is a player who can make the right play at the right time while protecting the football. He listed players such as Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady as examples of elite game managers, emphasizing that it does not mean they are incapable of making great plays.

Purdy's performance this season supports his case as more than just a game manager. His completion percentage of 70.2% ranks first in the NFL, while his 3,553 passing yards are the third-highest. However, Newton and others argue that Purdy's success is attributed to the talented offensive weapons around him, including Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk, as well as the schematics of head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Newton specifically referred to McCaffrey, Samuel, the formidable defensive line, and Shanahan as the driving forces behind the 49ers' success, expressing the organization's desire to find the next Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Lamar Jackson rather than quarterbacks like Purdy, Prescott, Jared Goff, or Tua Tagovailoa.

Despite the debate surrounding Purdy's label, he remains focused on his performance and does not engage in discussions about being a game manager. His exceptional statistics this season, leading the league in completion percentage and ranking third in passing yards, speak for themselves. With the Niners in contention for the Super Bowl, Purdy's impact on the team cannot be overlooked, regardless of the labels thrown his way.