When the San Francisco 49ers clash with the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58, Brock Purdy won't face Patrick Mahomes directly. Instead, the quarterback's focus lies on the opponent's defense. However, Mahomes' presence still influences the mentality of the 49ers' offense.
Purdy recognizes Mahomes' threat, emphasizing the importance of capitalizing on every opportunity.
"Obviously, you're going against the defense, and that's first and foremost," Purdy told reporters during his final media availability before Sunday's game. "As a quarterback and as an offense, you've got to understand what the defense is doing with their scheme and how they're attacking the game. But it's also great to understand and know who's on the other sideline, and what they can be doing, and how explosive they can be, and how dangerous Mahomes can be at any moment in the game.
"So those are things that you have to account for, for sure, but do you go out there and consciously think about it? No, because I think that can affect your decisions and how you're playing the game. But it is good to take an account, like, 'All right, the guy on the other side is a playmaker.' And if we don't do our job and put up some points, obviously, he's one of the best in the NFL and in the world. You've got to get it going. So it's something that you've got to take into account, for sure."
Purdy has experience facing elite quarterbacks. His first career start was against Tom Brady, widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time. Despite Brady's presence, Purdy led the 49ers to a victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season.
"I think it's very similar, just in terms of Tom Brady's on the other sideline," Purdy said of his first start. "We've got to put up points. We've got to score because that's the greatest of all time on the other side. Let's try to not give him the ball as much as we can. Let's dictate the game. Let's, obviously, try to have the ball as long as we can, and put up points at the end of the day, and keep the ball out of his hands. It's common sense.
"So, yeah, it was my first start. In the back of my mind, we were up 21-0, and I'm like, 'I don't care. That's Tom Brady on the other side, man. We got to keep going. We got to keep scoring.' So I think it's similar for the Super Bowl, yes, but that's with any great quarterback that you play with throughout the year. So, first and foremost, we got to go up against the Kansas City Chiefs defense, and they're really good."