Brock Purdy said he continues to search for opportunities and is using them.
With a potentially large, new contract cusp, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is keenly aware of where he was.
Purdy, the 262nd final overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, went on to the pro as the third string quarterback. However, he raised the depth chart and led the 49ers to the appearance of the Super Bowl.
“For me, I always wanted to prove to myself that I had shots and opportunities. God gave me these talents,” Purdy said.
“I want to show him that, ‘It’s okay, I’m good enough in your eyes.’ And if it wasn’t football, it’s all good…and won’t try to compare it to the situation of other people, others. And I will be at peace with it. ”
After earning the quarterback starting spot as a sophomore at Perry High School in Arizona, Purdy played the team in two state championships as a junior in 2016 and became a senior in 2017. Despite his admiration and success, he was listed as merely a three-star recruit. In an interview, Purdy said he barely received an offer from Iowa state later in the recruitment season.
Related Stories
Purdy joined Iowa State as a three-string quarterback, but won the starting job early in his freshman year. He went 6-2 as a freshman in 2018, threw 2,250 yards and 16 touchdowns on seven intercepts. He started all 13 games as a sophomore in 2019, throwing 3,982 yards for 7-6 yards, leading the Big 12 Conference. 27 touchdowns broke the school record for TD passes in the season with nine interceptions.
He passed 2,750 yards and 19 TDs on nine picks as a junior in 2020, but led his team to a 9-3 record and victory in the Fiesta Bowl. He turned 7-6 again in 2021, but pitched for 3,188 yards and 19 touchdowns for eight interceptions.
Despite his success, Purdy was selected by the 49ers on the final pick in the 2022 draft and became “Mr. Inllevant” of the year.
“In the beginning, it was a chance,” Purdy said. “That was first and foremost. I was hoping for an opportunity. I didn’t really care how I got there, how I got to the team, how the draft went down, what I was going to do when I got the opportunity.” And when they called, I said, “Man, I’ve just tried to roll.”
Purdy said Traylanth, the third overall pick in 2021, was a “man” who went into training camp. But he didn’t know one day, but he believed he would get some playing time anyway.
Purdy got his playing time. He was filled for injured Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 13, becoming a full-time starter and led his team to the NFC Championship. He then suffered a ligament laceration in the elbow in his throwing arm, allowing him to hand over the ball to his running back in a 31-7 defeat for the Philadelphia Eagles.
After recovering, he became a full-time starter in 2023, bringing the 49ers to the Super Bowl LVIII, where he intercepted 11 in the middle for 4,280 yards and 31 TDs.
Purdy’s continued success has made him a candidate for a large contract. According to Spotrac, his market value is $59.7 million a year. Once he signs a market value contract, he becomes the second-highest paid player in the NFL.
“My entire story is not only overlooked, it’s not enough,” Purdy said. “For me, deep inside, I know I can play and compete at this level… I’m like, ‘Just wait until I get the chance to compete’… I thought, I was in all levels: high school, college, NFL. ”
