In a surprising turn of events, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith has expressed his loss of confidence in second-year quarterback Brock Purdy following the San Francisco 49ers' second consecutive loss on Monday night.

Purdy, the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, had initially captured the attention of Smith and many others with an impressive start to his regular-season career. Within his first 10 starts, Purdy managed to throw 20 touchdowns and just two interceptions, leading to high expectations for his future with the team. However, recent performances have prompted doubts about his abilities.

Speaking on "First Take" on Tuesday morning, Smith cited concerns about Purdy's arm strength and velocity, noting that he does not possess the strongest arm in the league. Smith also acknowledged the impact of the absence of key receivers Deebo Samuel and the chemistry that Purdy had developed with him, as well as Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey.

The 23-year-old signal-caller faced a challenging game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium, where he threw two interceptions, marking the first time in his career that he had committed such mistakes.

Purdy was thrust into the starting role for the 49ers in 2022 after both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo suffered season-ending injuries. With high hopes and significant pressure riding on his shoulders, Purdy now finds himself under scrutiny following the team's recent setbacks.

While it remains to be seen whether this loss of confidence will have lasting consequences for Purdy's position as the 49ers' starter, it is clear that doubts are beginning to surface within the national narrative surrounding the young quarterback.

As the 49ers continue to navigate through a challenging season, the performance of their quarterback will undoubtedly remain a focal point of discussion among fans and analysts alike. Only time will tell if Purdy can regain the faith of Stephen A. Smith and prove his worth as the future of the franchise.