In 2022, the San Francisco 49ers faced a daunting challenge when they lost their second quarterback of the season and had to rely on rookie Brock Purdy, the last overall pick in the draft, for a game against the Miami Dolphins. The once-promising season now seemed uncertain.
Purdy stepped up and led the 49ers to a victory that December Sunday, and was a big reason why the 49ers won their next seven games, too.
Running back Christian McCaffrey and fullback Kyle Juszczyk joined KNBR on Monday and discussed their quarterback, who is coming off a record-setting 2023 campaign.
McCaffrey was unsure what to expect when Purdy entered that game against the Dolphins. The running back hadn't been with the 49ers very long, having been traded to the team earlier in the season. He was struck by Purdy's demeanor during the quarterback's first significant playing time.
When asked what he saw in Purdy's eyes as he entered the huddle for the first time against the Dolphins, McCaffrey responded, "Man, I saw a stone-cold killer."
Purdy stepped into the huddle as if he had been there for years, showing the poise and leadership of a seasoned veteran, not a player who had yet to make an NFL start.
"I think he showed up, and showed up to play," McCaffrey told KNBR's Greg Papa and John Lund. "I think he was confident, he was prepared, and he was Brock. And I haven't seen anything different. That's what's been so cool about his growth, is he's one of the best players in the National Football League, and he approaches every day like it's the most important day. Every meeting, every practice, everything he does, he's extremely critical on himself.
"I think everyone always talks about he's the last pick of the draft, and I get that, but I think people forget he's one of the best players in the NFL and was an MVP candidate last year. And where you were drafted means nothing. It's about what you do when you get the opportunity, and he seized the day, and is where he is now.
"I also think it's a huge testament—and there's a lot of unsung heroes in football—huge testament to [QB] coach [Brian] Griese, to [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan], to the whole staff for preparing each guy to go out there and win games. That's a really difficult thing to do, and when you can come into a game after the starter gets hurt, the second string guy gets hurt, and then you come in, and the offense continues to have success, that's a testament to a lot of different guys."
Juszczyk echoed McCaffrey's praise for Purdy, acknowledging that there is a lot of weight on Purdy's shoulders to be successful and lead the 49ers to a championship.
"He's carrying the weight of this entire organization, this entire city," Juszczyk said. "... He's got all these great players around him that are expecting him to perform, and so he doesn't take that lightly. And that's something I respect about Brock because he is always dialed in, he is always ready to work.
"And like Christian said, when people are ask how has he changed from that first game in Miami, yeah, he's gotten better in all aspects, but he really is kind of the same guy. He's been the same guy since he's been here, and I think that's something that we all respect."