Will Brock Purdy suit up for the San Francisco 49ers in 2023? The quarterback isn't 100 percent certain. He doesn't have a crystal ball. However, he is doing everything he can to ensure he steps back on the football field during the upcoming season, as planned.
Purdy is recovering from surgery on March 10 to repair the tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, an injury sustained on January 29 in the NFC Championship Game. If his recovery goes well, the 49ers expect their 23-year-old quarterback to be full-go sometime in September, maybe even sooner.
The team will have a clearer picture of the recovery timeline once the second-year quarterback resumes throwing in June.
Purdy will report to the 49ers today for the start of the team's offseason program. He won't be on the field for most of the offseason but wants to be with his teammates and coaches to ensure he doesn't fall behind in his development.
"I want to win. I want to help the team win. I'll do whatever it takes," Purdy told USA Today Sports on Friday. "We had such a great team. We were on a roll. And I want to just pick up where we left off, and obviously go win a championship. I think that's everybody's goal, and that's what it should be. So, that's my mindset."
Purdy, a rookie at the time, replaced an injured Jimmy Garoppolo on December 4, helping the 49ers rattle off eight consecutive wins before the Philadelphia Eagles ended their season one game away from the Super Bowl.
Unable to throw until June, Purdy is focusing on the mental aspect of his NFL development.
"Being quarterback, the physical part is important, but the mental part is the most important," Purdy said. "So, being able to watch the games, the good and the bad from last year. And just learn, and challenge, and push myself to just grow in different areas. You know, go through progressions and then pocket movement and just stuff like that. So, it's been a good offseason."
In addition to the mental aspect of his preparation, Purdy is ensuring he stays in shape while rehabbing his arm, doing cardio, and working on his lower half.
"Just because it's the offseason doesn't mean I get to sleep in and then stay up late," Purdy shared. "It's not nothing like that. It's a grind, but I love it, and I'm thankful for it."