Brock Purdy has made ‘Mr Irrelevant’ a thing of the past.
Despite prospering in the talented San Francisco 49ers offence, the 24-year-old still has naysayers.
Purdy was selected with the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, although his size and background have been questioned. Some argue that his success was due to a favourable landing spot.
In Week 13, Jimmy Garoppolo suffered an injury against the Miami Dolphins, prompting him to step in.
In his first NFL start, Purdy threw for 210 yards, two touchdowns, and a pick against Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Week 14.
Nick Bosa, a 49ers teammate, spoke with talkSPORT’s Will Gavin about Purdy and shared when he became a fan of the young quarterback.
“Obviously there’s a stigma with him when it comes to the fact he was a late pick and he’s a smaller guy,” he told me.
“I’m not sure what it’s about, but people seem to look of him as someone who got lucky and joined a really fantastic squad, and the supporting cast is what makes him.
“But I’m not sure how many times he has to prove people incorrect because he has already done so.
“And even I, when Jimmy went down, I thought our season was finished; well, not completely, but our chances were not looking good.
“And then he dominated that Dolphins game. I’m like, OK, that was good.
“But then he dominates Tom Brady and continues to prove me, the team, the country, and the world incorrect.
“He’s just a very humble child who doesn’t allow any outside noise bother him. So we definitely got lucky with him.”
Purdy sustained an injury during a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2022 NFL Championship.
A year later, he led his club to the Super Bowl, where they were defeated by Patrick Mahomes’ powerful Kansas City Chiefs.
This season, the rising star has completed 84 of his 122 throws for 1,130 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Respected ESPN analyst Mina Kimes believes he is in the finest shape of his career.
“His season right now, compared to last, is such a great example of why quarterback stats are bulls*** because he is playing the best football of his career right now, in my opinion,” she told me.
“When I watch the tape, I saw more amazing performances from him this season.
“He is really good at making plays outside of the structure. He has thrown accurately downfield.
“I have been so impressed by him this season.”
Kimes detailed the plays that transform a competent quarterback into a great one.
Purdy will face the Arizona Cardinals in an NFC West showdown on Sunday.
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