San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy acknowledges that this season has been anything but easy. The team's 5-7 record and three-game losing streak reflect the struggles. Purdy has faced his own challenges, including a shoulder injury that sidelined him during the loss to the Green Bay Packers—the second of those three consecutive defeats.
Purdy's return last Sunday against the Buffalo Bills may have been one of his worst performances as a pro, likely hindered by residual soreness, a bit of rust, and adverse snowy conditions.
"It's been tough," Purdy admitted on Friday. "That's just sort of how the last three games have gone. But that's the NFL, this game is physical. You've got to be able to overcome those kinds of things and find a way.
"And I feel like the good teams, the good players, they don't have excuses. They find a way to get it done for their team and give it their all when they can, physically when they can."
The 49ers have struggled to find consistency this season, managing to win consecutive games only once, and even that was split by a bye week. Still, with five games left and the team not yet mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, Purdy remains optimistic. He views adversity as an opportunity for growth.
"I really do think you can learn so much when things aren't going your way, for who you are, for the guys around you, how guys respond and react to adversity rather than everything's perfect, you're winning games, and everyone thinks that it'll never end and you'll always be perfect," Purdy explained. "You can learn some things from that, but not a whole lot. But I think when you face some adversity, that's really where true colors show, all that kind of stuff.
"But more than anything, how you respond to it and how the respect you've earned from other guys when you can show that you can get out of it, and you can pull through and be the guy to lead the way. So learning a lot right now for sure as a young quarterback in the NFL."
Despite the setbacks, Purdy views these challenges as opportunities to grow as a player and a leader. The 49ers hope to turn things around on Sunday when they host the Chicago Bears at Levi's Stadium.