Former NFL star LeSean McCoy didn’t hold back his opinions on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s Christmas gesture to his offensive linemen. Despite the team’s disappointing season, Purdy surprised his linemen with brand-new Toyota trucks, a move that McCoy openly questioned during Friday’s installment of The Facility Group Chat.
Purdy’s Generous Gesture
In a video released by the 49ers, Purdy, 24, is seen walking into a meeting room to share the surprise news with his offensive line before leading them outside to unveil their gifts. Lined up in the parking lot were white Toyota trucks adorned with red Christmas bows on the hoods.
The gesture was meant to show appreciation for the linemen who have protected him throughout the season, even as the team has struggled to maintain its form from last year.
Purdy, who led the 49ers to the Super Bowl in his first full season as a starting quarterback in 2023, has faced significant challenges in 2024. With a 6-8 record, the team sits at the bottom of the NFC West, a far cry from their NFC-winning run the previous year.
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McCoy’s Criticism
McCoy, however, wasn’t impressed with Purdy’s decision to lavish his linemen with expensive gifts, given the team’s lackluster performance.
“When I was playing and dudes did their thing for me, I was looking out for my linemen,” McCoy said, recalling how he once gifted his offensive line Rolex watches. “All Rollies, baby.”
He then turned his attention to Purdy, questioning the reasoning behind the quarterback’s generosity.
“This is what I don’t get with Purdy,” McCoy continued. “Respect because I like what he’s doing, but what are you buying these guys this for? It ain’t like they’re blocking for you. It ain’t like y’all doing good. They’re not even doing good.”
When his fellow panelists argued that the linemen still deserved gifts, McCoy doubled down.
“For what? You’ve been bad all year. If your girlfriend’s been bad all year, she deserve a gift on Christmas?”
A Season of Struggles
Purdy’s stats this season reflect the team’s difficulties. Through 13 games, he has completed 247 of 380 passing attempts for 4,280 yards and 15 touchdowns. This marks a significant drop from last year, when he completed 308 of 444 passes for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns. With three games remaining, it’s unlikely he’ll match his 2023 numbers.
The offensive line has also struggled to protect Purdy effectively, contributing to the team’s underperformance. Critics like McCoy see this as a reason to question the quarterback’s holiday generosity.
The Financial Aspect
Social media users were quick to point out the disparity in earnings between Purdy and his offensive line. According to Spotrac, Purdy earns $934,252 this season, while the five starting linemen collectively rake in $37,651,852—an average of $7.5 million each. Many speculated that Purdy’s partnership with Toyota likely made the giveaway financially feasible.
Still, McCoy remained unconvinced.
“Why are we getting any gifts? You’re not blocking that well if I’m not playing that well,” McCoy said. “My stats ain’t that great, we not in the playoffs, what are we doing?”
What’s Next for the 49ers?
The 49ers have three games remaining against the Dolphins, Lions, and Cardinals to salvage their season. While Purdy’s gesture was intended to boost team morale and show appreciation, it has sparked a wider debate about accountability and generosity in professional sports.
As the 49ers’ season winds down, Purdy’s Christmas gift may serve as a reminder of his leadership and gratitude, even in tough times. Whether it will inspire his linemen to step up in the final stretch—or simply add fuel to the criticism—remains to be seen.
