A sampling of what the 49ers were saying Sunday after a 45-29 road win over the Arizona Cardinals to wrap up their second straight NFC West title:
COACH KYLE SHANAHAN
Reaction to Brock Purdy injury
“I mean, just nervous. Not thinking much. Didn’t see what happened because I was looking down field. I assumed he got hit in the head. I was a little nervous. Once he got to the sideline, they told me it was a stinger. Sometimes those takes over a week, sometimes a couple of minutes.
On Christian McCaffrey
He means so much what a good football player he is. Everyone sees it. The type of guy he’s been, the way he works, how well he takes care of the body. He’s as committed to his job as any person I’ve been around.
McCaffrey’s desire to play through injuries
He wanted to play in game. When you have some tough injuries and the way he came out of his career, I might mess this up, unbelievable rookie year and tough injuries. If I ever insinuate that he’ll bite my head off, won’t say wear and tear. He wants to prove everybody wrong all the time, and he’s usually right.
Winning the division
Our No. 1 goal was to get in the playoffs and we got that last week. Winning the division last year and this year it’s huge. Winning the division, it’s a better road in the playoffs. I know our guys are pumped. Now we want to get two (playoff) home games and a bye.
Brock Purdy’s best trait
That he can see the whole field, that nothing he can’t do. He has poise and can react. When he doesn’t have time, he can get it to a checkdown and not take a sack. He has great command of the offense. The amount of plays he’s made the past two years is more than any quarterback I’ve been around.
Crowd chanting for Purdy
Real cool for him, to hear that..cool for me to hear it for him. He said he had a lot of people here. I didn’t realize (it was his homecoming) until last couple of days. With a scare with the injury, to finish the game with the crowd chanting your name, it’s pretty cool.
Charvarius Ward playing with groin injury
Him battling to get back this game, I was impressed. I considered him a long shot earlier in the week and he kept saying he wasn’t. He has not hesitated on anything. Running through the ball. He’s getting his hands up and knocking the ball down better than anybody on the planet. He got that pick six and the next one. It’s like they stick to his hands now. It’s cool he did the first one and hopefully there are plenty more now.
The run defense
Looking at it live, I thought we missed way too many tackles. Give them credit, they have guys who are tough to tackle. It was disappointing on the missed tackles. We definitely didn’t play the run good enough and that was obvious. But we came with one thing on the mind and that was to get a win.
Purdy vs. McCaffrey for MVP
I don’t have to differentiate, thank goodness. Been around a couple of MVPs in my career. These two, they’re the most obvious to me. I might be bias being on my team but look at the numbers or the film.
Steve Wilks and the challenge of Arizona
We talked a lot all week, they have too many good players and they run a good scheme and there’d be times they got us. If we could survive the day … we did that. I know the stat board doesn’t look great but the defense is why we won today, too.
McCaffrey’s knee
I wasn’t excited. But when there’s a play clock going and need to call plays, you can’t think about it.
Rondale Moore #4 of the Arizona Cardinals looks to avoid a tackle from Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of a game at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
FRED WARNER
On winning but giving up so many yards
Mixed emotions for sure. The No. 1 thing is you don’t want to ever take away from a win, and in the division, back to back years. that’s the standard now. Last year got in front team, we won the division, don’t come around all the time, and let’s cherish this. I immediately regretted saying that. Because this is the standard.
The run defense
Just missed tackles. I look at myself, first and foremost. I have to be the standard. If we do miss a tackle, we have to get guys to the football to get him down.
Charvarius Ward’s touchdown
That was amazing, we needed that, especially in the moment. Been at all-pro season leading league in PBUs but we needed interceptions to lock it down. We needed him big time today.
Importance of defensive touchdowns
If we can continue to do that, that’d be great. We have to focus on fundamentals though.
Winning the division
That’s the goal coming in. That’s the standard here with the Niners. Proud of how we played all season and to bounce back from adversity, it’s huge.
Nick Bosa #97 celebrates with Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles #45 of the San Francisco 49ers after sacking Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
NICK BOSA
His injury
“It was after the play. Someone got thrown into my foot but the foot’s fine.” (Bosa had a bag of ice wrapped around his right knee postgame.
Getting the win
We get everybody’s best shot. They have a very good team that’s getting better every week. We knew it’d be a dogfight and we were missing some guys. We didn’t expect a perfect game and we knew they’d make plays. But at this juncture we’re trying to win, win out, obviously. That’s the main goal.
Charvarius Ward’s performance
He’s playing at an All-Pro level. He had two today? The stats don’t always tell the whole story. But I’m very happy he got that. He deserves it. He’s a top corner in the league, no doubt. Whenever he comes out, we know. You’re not going to come out of the game unless you’re compromised. I was joking with him I’m sure glad you played.
Seeing Purdy injured
I saw Darnold in there, and I’m very confident in him, because he plays at a starter level. But I definitely was holding my breath.
Kyler Murray’ performance
The knee will progress. The first year is managing and a lot of extra work to play. His recovery went well and I’m happy for him.
The hometown kid is ballin. Brock Purdy to @CMC_22 for a 2nd time today!#ProBowlVote #SFvsAZ on CBS pic.twitter.com/R0ZieCsVLj
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 17, 2023
BROCK PURDY
Level of concern after stinger
I never had one before, so when I got hit, I probably could have popped up, if someone grabbed my arm and pulled me up. But I was, ‘Alright, this is my first time having it.’ Based off what my teammates and guys have explained a stinger, I was, ‘That’s definitely how I’m feeling.’ It was on my left side. I just laid there for a second, let it calm down, then I got up and went to the tent. From there, I got better. Literally as time went on, it started going away. That’s why I was able to go back in there mid-drive.
Fans chanting his name
I did (hear them). But at that point I’m more concerned about my body. But that was cool, hearing that support from everybody.
Watching McCaffrey
I’m the guy that hands him the ball and then I turn and watch what he does, bouncing off guys, making cuts, twisting off guys when they’re holding onto him. I just see the beating he takes. His grit to continue to drive his legs and get extra yards and inches, then he goes off to the sideline and he’s immediately using Theraguns and moving his body. He’s nonstop moving. But we all respect it. He’s the guy that does it all. We’ll put him in the slot and throw him the ball. He just does everything. He’s smart. We definitely look up to him and his toughness. He sets the standard and we follow his lead.
On his extra yards
When he does it, it still blows my mind. But that’s Christian. He’s done that time and time again. To see him continue to do that, then get back in the huddle, then go run a route and catch the ball and have an explosive, it’s like, ‘Dude, this is crazy.’ I’m definitely thankful and blessed to be playing with him.
Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs for a touchdown after hauling in a 41-yard pass from Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
McCaffrey’s second touchdown catch
It was sort of an off-schedule play, bounce out of the pocket, then I saw him go down the field. I didn’t know, ‘Is he going to run straight? Is he turning to me?’ So I just put it up in the air. He did a good job tracking it down, catching it, then getting up and scoring. Though moment right then and there on where the ball should be, but we got it done.
His homecoming
It was definitely a special game for me, coming home. Played here in the Fiesta Bowl but that was COVID so there were only family and close friends (in the stands) To come back and have a whole stadium. In high school, I’d come and watch the Cardinals and it felt like that. Now I’m playing on that field, it was so cool. It’s definitely I’ll look back on in life and be very thankful for.
Ticket distribution
I only got tickets for my family. Because there are so many people in my life hitting me up for stuff, it was crazy. A lot of people in my life came and I’m very thankful for their support.
On business as usual
I didn’t want to go in there acting like it was a movie scene. It was more about, ‘Alright, I’m back in here, let’s actually read the defense, and what are we trying to do.’ That’s what we’re trying to do: Put up points. I saw Christian in end zone on a play and got it done.
On MVP
I think Christian should be MVP. I really do believe that. He does everything for us: runs the ball well, can catch the ball. He does everything. So in my eyes, that’s an MVP
On him being in MVP talk
I’m honored. But a great team around me and guys willing to make plays. I’m trying to do my part in helping our team win. I’m very honored to hear it. But I think we have an MVP team overall.
The Brock movie
If you just look at the whole grand scheme of it, right, being drafted last and all that, I guess people can start saying stuff about movies and stuff. But I’m just taking it one day at time. I’m playing football. I dreamed of playing in the NFL. I have a great team around me. That’s just where I’m at, trying to enjoy every day.
Hometown support
To come home and have everybody from my high school, Perry, and Queen Creek, Gilbert, to come and support like they have, it means everything to me. I’ve always dreamed of coming home to play in front of everybody, because I know how much they have my back and have supported me. I hope I was able to give them a good game. I appreciate all that they’ve done for me in my life.
Like a good neighbor, @CMC_22 is there.#ProBowlVote @brockpurdy13 pic.twitter.com/4RMpbzfP25
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 17, 2023
CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY
On injury-prone label in Carolina
It definitely pisses you off. You miss games. That’s part of it. You just have to stay on the field. Obviously it pissed me off. But I didn’t think it was necessarily wrong. I needed to get on the field. I missed a lot of games in Carolina. But I had a lot of confidence I would bounce back.
On scoring TD after falling down
That was a first for me. I felt like an idiot backpedaling for so long. I didn’t see the ball until like halfway in the air. I was just happy we connected. Brock made a great play scrambling and sticking with it.
Scoring 7 TDs vs Cardinal this season
You don’t really know what games you’re going to have big games. Just approach it one game at a time, one snap at a time.
Brock Purdy (13) hands off to Christian McCaffrey (23) in the fourth quarter of the 49ers’ 45-29 win over Arizona. Getty Images
The Purdy injury
He’s tough as hell, so once he said, ‘I’ll be good,’ that’s when everybody calmed down a little.”
On his knee Sunday
I’m fine. It’s just a little stuff that goes on during a game.
Repeating as NFC West champs
Obviously winning the division is very important. It’s a big step for us. But everyone knows where we want to be. And we know each week you have to bring your best ball, we’re going to get everybody’s best shot.
Trent for MVP?
He’s got my vote.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) passes as offensive tackle Trent Williams blocks Arizona Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck (45) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
TRENT WILLIAMS
McCaffrey’s get off the deck touchdown
I did see him backpedaling. I was surprised he had time to fall on his face and get right back up and score.
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Offensive ceiling
Who knows where the ceiling is. As long as we can take it one game at a time, we have so many playmakers, our offense should move the ball. I’m not surprised by that. We do have some ways to go before we can say we’ve arrived. But the weapons we have, with (McCaffrey), George, Deebo, Aiyuk, Juice, the list goes on … We still can get better.
Christian or Brock for MVP
We have the best running back in the NFL. For him to get MVP consideration, that’s his just due. Same way with Brock. Brock’s been playing his butt off, so for him being in the conversation, as a teammate, I couldn’t be prouder of both these guys. My job is to continue to help them have success. Who cares? As long as we bring that (Lombardi) Trophy back to Santa Clara, that’s all I’m worried about.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, left, greets San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
