Quarterback Brock Purdy, the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has propelled the San Francisco 49ers to consecutive NFC Championship appearances, with their eyes now set on Super Bowl LVIII. Purdy’s remarkable journey unfolded following injuries to two quarterbacks ahead of him on the depth chart, coupled with the looming presence of a potential encounter with the legendary Tom Brady.
Purdy recently revealed that the 49ers had informed him he would be the starter unless they secured Tom Brady before the 2023 season. Recounting a conversation with head coach Kyle Shanahan, Purdy acknowledged the team’s pursuit of Brady, recognizing the quarterback’s status as the “GOAT.”
During a podcast appearance on “The Eye Test for Two,” 49ers general manager John Lynch clarified the context behind the team’s exploration of other quarterback options, specifically Brady. Lynch explained that concerns about Purdy’s recovery from a UCL injury, sustained in the previous year’s NFC Championship, led the team to consider contingency plans for the 2023 season. Lynch emphasized the team’s confidence in Purdy’s abilities, clarifying that the potential pursuit of Brady was not a reflection of doubt but rather a precautionary measure.
“It was more of a sign of belief in him that, ‘Hey, you took us [far] in your rookie year. We believe that you’re our guy,'” Lynch stated. The general manager praised Purdy’s dedication to rehabilitation, which ultimately allowed him to surpass recovery timelines and commence the season at full strength.
Purdy’s resilience and commitment to recovery were evident as he played in all 16 regular-season games, excluding Week 18 when the 49ers rested starters. Now, leading the team to the brink of a Super Bowl victory, Purdy’s journey draws parallels to another late-round quarterback who emerged from obscurity – Tom Brady himself.
