In a thrilling game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy delivered a remarkable game-winning touchdown pass to tight end Jake Tonges. Following the match, Coach Kyle Shanahan expressed his surprise at the play, admitting he was uncertain of what Purdy saw when making the throw. "No one was open, and I didn’t think Jake was. But for some reason, Brock did," Shanahan explained during a conference call with reporters on Monday.
The analytics support Shanahan's skepticism, highlighting the low likelihood of the completion. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the game-winning score had a mere 14.7 percent completion probability. Shanahan acknowledged the impressive nature of the play, stating, "When he threw it, at the end of it, he proved to us that Jake was open because he made a hell of a play stepping in front of Tariq Woolen. It was a big-time catch."
Jake Tonges, who caught the game-winning pass, had a standout performance throughout the drive, marking his first and second career receptions before securing the decisive touchdown. His third career reception not only gave the San Francisco 49ers a 17-13 lead but also clinched the victory over Seattle. Shanahan noted, "I think Brock just ended up getting confidence in him very quickly as the drive went on."
Tonges, who suited up for 16 games last season, saw limited action with just 34 snaps in 2024. However, with star tight end George Kittle sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Tonges is expected to receive increased playing time in the upcoming weeks. Shanahan praised Tonges' potential, stating, "The biggest thing that stands out is his hands. I mean, he’s got really great hands as you could see on that last play. He’s got athletic ability. When you tie athletic ability with someone’s hands and size, he’s got the tools to be good in the pass game."
As the San Francisco 49ers prepare for their Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, fans can look forward to seeing more of Tonges' contributions on the field. Shanahan hopes that Tonges’ breakout performance will be a stepping stone for a successful career with the team.
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