49ers great shares strong message about Brock Purdy and Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers legend John Taylor didn’t mince his words when discussing quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk while speaking with Cam Inman of The Mercury News. The former NFL wide receiver, recently inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame, took issue with those who downplay Purdy’s accomplishments, attributing his success to head coach Kyle Shanahan’s system and a talented supporting cast.

“A lot of people didn’t want to give Brock Purdy his due,” Taylor said Monday night. “‘Oh, he’s got this, he’s got that. If he didn’t have the group he had, he wouldn’t be the quarterback he is.'”

Taylor reflected on two Hall of Fame quarterbacks he received passes from during his illustrious NFL career: Joe Montana and Steve Young. They also had an impressive supporting cast.

“If Joe hadn’t had the group he had, Joe wouldn’t have been Joe,” Taylor said. “If Steve hadn’t had the group he had, Steve wouldn’t have been Steve. I never saw one of those two quarterbacks block for himself, give each other the ball, throw the ball to each other and go catch it.

“But they always say, ‘Oh, if he hadn’t had the party around.’ Well, that’s how teams win. That’s how championships are made: of all the different parts, not just one person.”

Purdy set a franchise single-season record last season with 4,280 passing yards and helped lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl in his second NFL season. He aims to continue his success and win a championship in his third year.

Turning to Aiyuk, Taylor recounted an early meeting with the talented receiver and a conversation with general manager John Lynch.

“I remember being at training camp and John Lynch asked me (what I thought) about Brandon Aiyuk,” Taylor recalled. “I said, ‘You want my honest opinion?’ He said, “Yeah.” I said, “He’s a hell of a receiver. He thinks too much. He just needs to go play, let his abilities take over.” I said I know that feeling. In his mind, he’s wondering, and he needs to stop wondering.

During the 2021 season, Taylor had the opportunity to give advice directly to Aiyuk on the bus before a practice before the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Taylor recalled: “I introduced myself to him and said, ‘Brandon, look, I watched your whole career at ASU. You were a heck of a receiver. That’s just my advice to you, and you can take it or leave it: Stop overthinking. Just go play.

Aiyuk led the team with 1,342 receiving yards last season, marking his second straight season surpassing the 1,000-yard mark. He is awaiting a new contract from the 49ers, which should make him one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL.

With Deebo Samuel already enjoying a high-level salary and the recent signing of wide receiver Ricky Pearsall with the No. 31 overall pick, Taylor anticipates possible changes to the team’s receiving corps.

“Honestly, someone left,” Taylor speculated. “They’re not going to say it right away, but someone left.”