With the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers took a chance on an unheralded quarterback from Iowa State, Brock Purdy. At the time, the team was already viewed as a championship contender, entering the season with second-year quarterback Trey Lance at the helm. However, injuries to Lance and veteran Jimmy Garoppolo thrust the rookie Purdy into the spotlight as the team's starter.
Purdy thrived under the pressure.
"This is the way I look at Brock Purdy," future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees told Crissy Froyd of Saints Wire. "Every single time he stepped on the field in college, he was an underdog. So, here's a guy who always had to play kind of with an edge, with a chip on his shoulder."
After stepping in for the injured Garoppolo, Purdy led the 49ers to six straight regular-season wins. In the playoffs, he guided the team to the NFC Championship Game. San Francisco might have advanced to the Super Bowl had Purdy not torn the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his throwing elbow during the game in Philadelphia.
A strong supporting cast was instrumental in Purdy's early success, something Brees believes is a model for other teams integrating young quarterbacks into the NFL. The situation surrounding Purdy during his rookie campaign could not have been better.
"(He just) maximized everything about what they were doing offensively in order to win these games," Brees explained. "And he's very cerebral."
The 49ers stumbled this season, winning only six games, finishing last in the NFC West, and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Much of their struggles were due to an overwhelming wave of injuries that proved too much to overcome.
Purdy's individual performance also declined. He completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 3,864 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, finishing the season with a 96.1 passer rating—all down from his record-breaking 2024 numbers.
With Purdy set to earn a massive contract extension, questions arise about his value given his inconsistent play and the team's struggles this season. While Purdy may not yet be the kind of quarterback capable of single-handedly carrying a team through adversity, the 49ers have enjoyed great success with him under center. In his first two seasons, he has led the team to two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance.
"So, if he gets into a situation in San Francisco where he's got a great offense, great run scheme, great head coach and he's got all this high-level experience, that equates to success right away," Brees said. "I think there's a lot that can be learned from that story when you talk about how you draft guys and the situations you put them in."
H/t to Kyle Madson of Niners Wire for the find.