Before this setback, the 49ers seemed destined to represent the NFC in Super Bowl 57, and Purdy's emergence played a significant role in that.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan sat down with Purdy in the offseason, making it clear that the young quarterback would start in Week 1. Barring any setback in his recovery, only one factor could have altered this plan.
"Early in the offseason, Niners coach Kyle Shanahan sat down with Purdy and assured him that if he was healthy he would be the starter unless Brady wanted to play one more season for his hometown Niners," wrote Nick Wagoner in a feature for ESPN.
Purdy had recently defeated a team led by Tom Brady, with his first start coming against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Purdy guided the 49ers to a one-sided 35-7 victory. He proceeded to lead the team to six more victories before losing in the NFC Championship Game.
Purdy understood the 49ers' thinking. If you have a shot at a future Hall of Fame quarterback, you take it. Even after Brady's retirement, rumors persisted about the possibility of him playing one season for his hometown 49ers.
According to Wagoner, San Francisco was "ready for one final run at Tom Brady." However, Brady remained retired, and the team moved forward with their impressive young quarterback.
"That meant so much to me," Purdy said of Shanahan's confidence in him. "I remember him saying, 'If we can get Tom Brady, we're going to try to get him.' And I was like, 'Yeah, he's the GOAT. I get it.' But something deep down inside me was sort of like, 'Dude, I just showed you that I can play well in this system. And we were one game away from the Super Bowl.' ... More than anything, I was like, 'OK, now let's go.'"
The decision to stick with Purdy has paid off for the 49ers. They now have the opportunity to return to the NFC Championship Game for the third consecutive season and the fourth time in five years. Purdy has been a pivotal factor in the team's success this season and even set a new franchise record for passing yards in a single season.
While the prospect of Brady joining the 49ers might have created an intriguing storyline, the last overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft winning Super Bowl 58 could be even better.
H/t to Kyle Madson of Niners Wire for the find.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Kyle Shanahan reveals something 49ers QB Brock Purdy must do against Seahawks
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy put together an impressive third-quarter touchdown drive against the Denver Broncos last week. But even with the offense finding the end zone, head coach Kyle Shanahan saw something he wanted his quarterback to clean up. Speaking... -
49ers legend Steve Young says Brock Purdy has reached a new level
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has played at an MVP level through the first five games of the 2026 season. Although his performance against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday wasn't his best, his overall numbers remain impressive. Purdy is on pace to record his second... -
49ers QB Brock Purdy leads NFL MVP tracker after 4-0 start
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is playing at an incredibly high level, and NFL Media writer Kevin Patra is giving him the recognition he deserves. The season is still young, and Patra acknowledges that the 49ers have faced a couple of struggling opponents along... -
49ers' Brock Purdy has earned his place among the NFL's elite quarterbacks
It is time to recognize Brock Purdy as an elite quarterback. After throwing an interception in the second quarter of the Week 1 game against the Rams, Purdy has done an excellent job protecting the ball and playing efficiently. Since that moment, the former "Mr. Irrelevant"...