San Francisco 49ers rookie quarterback Brock Purdy has captivated the NFL landscape. He entered Week 13 after Jimmy Garoppolo went down, guiding the 49ers to a commanding 33-17 win over the Miami Dolphins. Then he made his first NFL start, helping the Niners knock off Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 35-7.
Purdy's latest achievement? Winning his first road start at Lumen Field, a venue that has been tough on the Niners. Oh yeah, and San Francisco clinched the NFC West along the way. Not bad, rookie.
For 49ers fans, it feels like they are watching something magical happen. Purdy was the last pick—No. 262 overall—in the 2022 NFL Draft, so to see him playing like a quarterback who has been in the league for years is remarkable.
Everyone is praising Purdy's impressive play, his coolness under pressure, and his command of the offense. He's one of the more intriguing storylines in the NFL. The quarterback was asked if everything he has accomplished over the last few weeks has sunk in yet.
"It's special and everything, but honestly, I'm just another component," Purdy said after the game. "I'm another piece to this team, in terms of a guy coming in, just doing what [is asked of him]. I'm the quarterback. I have to make decisions. I trust in how the coaches teach me throughout the week. I just try to get the ball out to the guys on time."
Purdy also wants to ensure that the quarterbacks who came before him get the credit they deserve. That would be Garoppolo and Trey Lance. The latter was the 49ers' starter until suffering a season-ending injury in Week 2.
"Honestly, man, I don't think Jimmy and Trey get enough credit for what they've done," Purdy explained. "I'm just now coming on the scene where these guys have been here, throughout the offseason for Trey, and Jimmy coming in and leading these guys, and winning.
"So, for me to come in, I just want to continue what they got rolling. So a big credit to Jimmy and Trey for what they've done, especially in the quarterback room, for the team, and I'm just trying to do my part in terms of where we're at now in the season.
"So definitely not all praise to Brock and what Brock's done. Those guys, they deserve all the credit. So I appreciate those guys."