Brock Purdy’s journey from being the final pick in the 2022 NFL draft to becoming a key player for the San Francisco 49ers feels like the plot of a sports movie. Drafted 262nd overall, Purdy was practically a football afterthought, but two seasons later, he’s one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the league.
Purdy’s rise started when he stepped in for Jimmy Garoppolo, who suffered a foot injury in the middle of the 2022 season. He won all five of his starts to close the season, sending a clear message that he was not just filling in—he was here to lead. The following year, Purdy led the 49ers on a Super Bowl run, finishing with a 12-4 regular season record. Not only did he win games, but he also led the league in yards per attempt and passer rating.
One of Purdy’s standout moments came in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he faced off against none other than Tom Brady. Imagine your first career start being against a living legend. Most would crumble under the pressure, but not Purdy. He became the first quarterback to beat Brady in their debut game, putting the NFL on notice that he was no ordinary rookie.
Even Purdy’s teammates were initially skeptical about what he could do. During an interview with talkSPORT, Nick Bosa admitted he had doubts when Garoppolo went down. “I thought our season was over,” Bosa said. But Purdy quickly changed Bosa’s mind, particularly with his performance against the Dolphins and his domination of Brady’s Bucs.
Nick Bosa on Brock Purdy:
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) October 4, 2024
“When Jimmy went down in 2022, I thought our season was over… Then he played great that Dolphins game and I was like 'all right that was good but you know…' and then he dominates against Tom Brady and he just keeps proving me, and the whole team, and… pic.twitter.com/f6mVog35Ya
“I thought our chances were definitely not looking too good. And then he played great that Dolphins game. I’m like, all right, that was good. But then he dominates against Tom Brady and just keeps proving me, the whole team, the whole country, and world wrong. He’s just a very humble kid and he doesn’t let any outside noise get to him. So, we got lucky with him for sure,” Bosa added.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Purdy. Critics and analysts have questioned whether he’s truly a top-tier quarterback or if he’s simply benefiting from a strong team around him. Bosa expressed frustration over how many times Purdy has to prove himself. Despite leading his team to the playoffs two seasons in a row, Purdy continues to face skepticism, with people asking, “Is he really that good?”
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Brock Purdy has big game ahead
His 49ers are set to take on the Arizona Cardinals in what promises to be a tough matchup, especially with star running back Christian McCaffrey sidelined due to injury.
The game will be played in sweltering conditions at Levi’s Stadium, with temperatures expected to hit the high 90s. To make matters worse, the NFL has denied the 49ers’ request to wear their white uniforms, which would have been cooler in the extreme heat. Instead, they’ll be playing in their throwback jerseys.
With the 49ers sitting second in the NFC West, just behind the Seattle Seahawks, this game is critical for Purdy and his team. With other key players like George Kittle questionable, the pressure is on Purdy and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to deliver a win and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Brock Purdy has faced doubt, criticism, and some of the toughest competition in the NFL—and he’s come out on top. But as the heat rises, both literally and figuratively, we’ll see if Purdy can once again prove his doubters wrong.