49ers general manager John Lynch spoke to the 49ers beat writers at the NFL owners' meetings yesterday. Lynch discussed Purdy's health and whether he would be the starter when ready to play. He stated, "I think Brock has earned the right with the way he played that he's probably the leader in the clubhouse. Brock's earned that right to be that guy if we line up to take that first snap."
Not many would argue that Purdy shouldn't be the starting quarterback after his phenomenal season during his rookie year. Purdy finished the season with 1,374 yards, 13 touchdowns, four interceptions, and completed 67.1 percent of his passes.
He was even more impressive in the playoffs with 569 yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions, and completed 65.1 percent of his passes. Purdy cooked out there on the football field until he was injured in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Purdy's ability and will to lead men to win makes him the leader in the clubhouse. Purdy helped his team win seven straight games as the starting quarterback, including two playoff victories against the Seattle and Dallas Cowboys. Since his debut in the Week 13 Miami Dolphins matchup, the team scored over 30 points a game, except against Seattle, when they scored 21 points.
It's clear that Purdy's stats are standing out amongst the elite quarterbacks of the NFL, but he's a winner in this league. How many players at the quarterback position go from being Mr. Irrelevant to Mr. Relevant overnight? Though Lynch clarified that there would be competition for the quarterbacks, it seems evident who the team wants to start at quarterback.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan told Around The Horn that he agrees with Lynch on Purdy's role, excited for the quarterback competition to "play itself out."
"We'll open it up for whatever. We know what we got healing up," Shanahan said.
The only thing holding Purdy back is his health. Once he's healthy, he will continue to be the leader in the clubhouse.