(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Perhaps the biggest story last season for the San Francisco 49ers was the unexpected rise of rookie quarterback Brock Purdy.
He was the last player chosen in the 2022 draft, which led to him receiving the nickname “Mr. Irrelevant,” a nickname no NFL player wants to have.
But Purdy started to shed that moniker in Week 13, when he was forced to become the Niners’ starter following a season-ending injury to Jimmy Garoppolo, and he played brilliantly the rest of the way.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan recently discussed Purdy’s development last season and his ascension to the QB1 role, via NFL Network.
“We were also really impressed with our 7th round draft choice.”@49ers coach Kyle Shanahan joined @colleenwolfe and @SteveMariucci to talk about the rise of Brock Purdy last season. pic.twitter.com/nsrhGeytf3
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 7, 2023
Shanahan said he was so impressed with Purdy during training camp that he considered having the rookie as his main backup, but that role instead went to Garoppolo.
Once starter Trey Lance suffered a severe ankle injury in Week 2 that ended his season, Garoppolo was back under center and Purdy was one step away from starting.
When he did start, the Iowa State University product was surprisingly poised and productive, and he continued the long winning streak San Francisco had started with Garoppolo starting.
The team was prolific offensively with Purdy as its starter, and that winning streak ended in the NFC Championship Game only when Purdy tore the UCL in his throwing elbow.
The 49ers haven’t won the Super Bowl since the 1994 season, and many consider them one of the frontrunners to walk away with this season’s Vince Lombardi Trophy, which would be quite an accomplishment for the 262nd player chosen in the 2022 draft.
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