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San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Brock Purdy faced some inconsistency on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, when his team needed him most, the third-year player stood out, leading a game-winning drive in which he completed four of five passes for 39 yards. This set up a struggling kicker Jake Moody for a 44-yard redemption attempt that gave the 49ers a hard-fought 23-20 road victory.

Purdy finished the game 25 of 36 for 353 yards and two touchdowns. He is currently on pace to throw for over 4,600 yards this season, which would break the single-season franchise record he set last season.

Josh Kendall of The Athletic believes Purdy’s performance this season has put to rest the lingering debate over his talent, rejecting the narrative that he is simply a product of the 49ers system and primarily benefits from the talent around him.

“I feel like Brock Purdy hit a huge milestone this season,” Kendall wrote. “There is no longer a daily debate about whether he is a great quarterback or just a product of his environment. He simply plays good football. Purdy is sixth in EPA by dropback (0.18) and second in yards Aerials per attempt (9.1) Since being drafted in 2022, he leads the NFL in passer rating (106.9).

Purdy has been far from perfect, throwing seven interceptions this season along with 12 touchdowns, although none have come in the last two games. His 13.6 yards per completion lead the NFL, while his 82.0 offensive rating from Pro Football Focus ranks eighth in the league and fourth among NFC quarterbacks. He also ranks second to Lamar Jackson in yards per attempt, with 8.8 to Jackson’s 9.3.

Before Sunday’s game, Purdy played without his best offensive playmaker, Christian McCaffreywho is just coming back from injury, and he will be without his best receiver, Brandon Aiyukfor the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL and MCL.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan noted that Purdy’s strong finish on Sunday said more about him than his early struggles.

“He missed a few shots in the first half, just a little off, and that cost us a few,” Shanahan said after the game. “But the way he came back in the second half was huge.”

Purdy acknowledged his slow start, adding: “I definitely felt out of rhythm to start the game. I’m not really sure what it was, but I know (in the) second half, I felt I just said, ‘All right, man, come out.’ and compete and tear it up. Don’t hesitate. And I thought in the second half we all did that. The guys were open, I didn’t hold back.

Purdy’s 15-of-20 performance in the second half helped secure the 49ers’ fifth win of the season.

With his continued progression, the 49ers face a major decision after the season: how much to pay their starting quarterback. Purdy could land a contract that would make him one of the highest-paid players in NFL history, potentially resetting the market depending on how the rest of the season goes.