From Final Draft Pick to NFC Champion, Purdy Is Proving the NFL Got It All Wrong
When Brock Purdy’s name was called with the 262nd and final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, not even the most die-hard fans batted an eye. “Mr. Irrelevant,” they called him—a label historically slapped onto players expected to be training camp bodies at best. But when injuries knocked out both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo in 2022, Purdy was thrown into the spotlight. What followed was one of the most shocking rises in modern NFL history. He led the 49ers to seven straight wins, a 13-4 finish, and an NFC Championship Game appearance—throwing for over 1,300 yards and 13 TDs with just 4 picks in his first 5 starts.
Critics expected a sophomore slump, but in 2023, Purdy only got better. He threw for over 4,200 yards, led the league in passer rating (113.0), and guided the 49ers to Super Bowl LVIII. Though they narrowly lost to the Chiefs, Purdy had become a Pro Bowler, franchise QB, and living legend in just two years. From final pick to face of a Super Bowl team, Brock Purdy has proven that where you’re drafted doesn’t define who you become.
