To be totally clear up top here: training camp interceptions aren’t necessarily good. They’re also not inherently bad. As with all things, context matters and because of that it’s difficult to find much meaning in any of Brock Purdy’s three interceptions during the 49ers’ first padded practices of the season.
It doesn’t appear that any of the interceptions came from Purdy not knowing the offense or simply throwing to the wrong place and not seeing a defender. David Lombardi of the Athletic covered the details of all three picks, and none of them look egregious.
Practice is a space for QBs to try things, find their timing and find out what their pass catchers can and cannot do. It’s likely not a coincidence that two of the three INTs came on passes intended for newcomer Logan Thomas and seldom-used second-year tight end Brayden Willis. It’s also a space to make mistakes like throwing blindly while under pressure, which it sounds like Purdy did on his third interception.
If this becomes a trend we can certainly begin wondering what’s leading to the run of turnovers and whether it’ll be a problem once the regular season begins. For one practice though, particularly the first padded session of the year, it’s hard to find a ton of reasons to overreact. Or, frankly, to react at all.
As long as whatever Purdy is doing gets him dialed in to be as effective as possible in the regular season, the 49ers will take it regardless of the practice results.
