Purdy’s interception rate ranks among NFL’s worst despite 49ers’ winning record
Data from BTB Analytics highlights a high frequency of interception-worthy throws, yet San Francisco maintains a positive record in games involving Purdy turnovers.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy recorded a 3.5% interception rate during the 2025 season, a figure that ranks as the fourth-worst among qualified NFL quarterbacks. Purdy threw 10 interceptions across nine games played, a significant statistical increase from the 27 interceptions he had thrown in his previous 40 career games. The performance trails only J.J. McCarthy, Tua Tagovailoa, and Geno Smith in terms of interception frequency for the season.
According to data from BTB Analytics, Purdy exhibited a high rate of interception-worthy throws, placing him in similar statistical company to Tagovailoa. The analytics firm noted that Purdy was throwing passes he should not have been attempting, contributing to the elevated error rate. This trend has drawn scrutiny given the 49ers’ Super Bowl aspirations, where quarterback decision-making is typically a critical component of institutional success.
Despite the high interception rate, the 49ers maintained a winning record in games where Purdy threw multiple interceptions, posting a 2-1 record in those three contests. Overall, the team went 4-2 in games involving Purdy turnovers. One notable example was a 20-9 victory over the Carolina Panthers, where Purdy threw three interceptions but the team still secured the win.
Backup quarterback Mac Jones, who played eight games while Purdy recovered from injuries, recorded a lower 2.1% interception rate. Jones finished with six interceptions on 289 attempts, and BTB Analytics noted he maintained a league-average interception-worthy throw rate. Jones helped the team to a 5-3 record during his starts, providing a statistical contrast to Purdy’s performance during the same period.
The 49ers are expected to have improved offensive support in the upcoming season, with the addition of receiver Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, rookie De'Zhaun Stribling, and 2024 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall. Whether this healthier and better offensive cast, alongside existing players Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle, can mitigate Purdy’s contested throws or if he tightens his decision-making, will determine if the 2025 season was an anomaly or the start of a persistent trend.
