Brock Purdy is not a household name, but he might become one after Sunday. The 24-year-old quarterback is leading the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs, in what could be one of the most thrilling matchups in NFL history.
Purdy’s story is remarkable, as he went from being the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to a star in less than two years. He overcame injuries, doubts, and challenges to prove himself as a leader and a winner. He has also earned the respect and admiration of his teammates, coaches, and fans.
How did Purdy get here? What makes him so special? And what are his chances of bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to the Bay Area? Here is everything you need to know about Brock Purdy, the 49ers quarterback who is ready to make history.
A record-breaking college career at Iowa State
Purdy was born and raised in Gilbert, Arizona, where he attended Perry High School. He was a star quarterback who led his team to the state championship game as a senior. He was also named the Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year and the Ed Doherty Award winner as the state’s best player.
Despite his accolades, Purdy was not heavily recruited by major college programs. He had only a handful of offers from schools like Boise State, Texas A&M, and UCF. He chose to attend Iowa State, where he would make an immediate impact.
Purdy started his college career as a third-string freshman, but he quickly rose to the top of the depth chart after injuries and poor performances by the other quarterbacks. He made his debut in October 2018, leading the Cyclones to a comeback win over Oklahoma State. He never looked back, as he finished the season with 2,250 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in eight games. He also rushed for five touchdowns and 308 yards.
Purdy continued to excel in his sophomore and junior seasons, breaking several school records and earning All-Big 12 honors. He led Iowa State to four consecutive winning seasons for the first time since the 1920s, and three bowl appearances. He finished his college career with 10,232 passing yards, 79 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions, as well as 1,036 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.
A surprising draft pick by the 49ers
Purdy decided to enter the 2022 NFL Draft after his junior season, hoping to fulfill his dream of playing in the pros. However, he was not considered a top prospect by most analysts, who questioned his size, arm strength, and level of competition. He was projected to be a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent.
Purdy had to wait until the very end of the draft to hear his name called. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the 262nd and final pick, earning the title of “Mr. Irrelevant”. The 49ers already had two quarterbacks on their roster: Jimmy Garoppolo, the veteran starter who led them to Super Bowl LIV in 2020, and Trey Lance, the third overall pick in the same draft as Purdy.
Purdy did not let his draft status discourage him. He signed a four-year contract with the 49ers and joined their training camp, where he impressed the coaches and teammates with his work ethic, intelligence, and attitude. He made the 53-man roster as the third-string quarterback, beating out veteran Josh Rosen.
A breakout season in the NFL
Purdy did not see much action in his rookie season, as he was behind Garoppolo and Lance on the depth chart. He threw his first regular season passes in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on October 23, 2022, completing 4 of 6 for 39 yards.
Purdy got his chance to start in Week 13, after Garoppolo suffered a season-ending knee injury and Lance was sidelined with a concussion. He made his first NFL start against the Seattle Seahawks, leading the 49ers to a 27-24 win with 264 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also ran for 49 yards and a touchdown.
Purdy kept the starting job for the rest of the season, as he led the 49ers to an NFC West title and a 12-4 record. He completed 308 of 444 passes for 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, with a league-leading passer rating of 113.0. He also rushed for 367 yards and six touchdowns. He was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year, as well as a Pro Bowl alternate.
A playoff run to remember
Purdy did not slow down in the postseason, as he guided the 49ers to two thrilling comeback wins in the NFC Divisional and Championship games. He became only the third quarterback since 1970 to win two playoff games in his rookie season, joining Joe Flacco and Mark Sanchez.
In the NFC Divisional game against the Green Bay Packers, Purdy threw for 287 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, as he led the 49ers to a 31-28 win with a game-winning drive in the final minutes. He also ran for 38 yards and a touchdown.
In the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Purdy faced a tough challenge, as he tore the ulnar collateral ligament of his elbow after getting hit on a pass in the first quarter. He played through the pain, throwing for 232 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions, as he led the 49ers to a 27-24 win with another game-winning drive in the final seconds. He also ran for 41 yards and a touchdown.
Purdy underwent surgery on his elbow after the game, but he was cleared to play in the Super Bowl after two weeks of recovery. He said he felt “great” and “ready to go” for the biggest game of his life.
A Super Bowl showdown with the Chiefs
Purdy will face his toughest test yet in Super Bowl LVIII, as he will go head-to-head with Patrick Mahomes, the reigning Super Bowl MVP and one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Mahomes led the Chiefs to a 14-2 record and a second consecutive AFC title, throwing for 4,740 yards, 38 touchdowns, and six interceptions, with a passer rating of 108.2. He also rushed for 308 yards and two touchdowns.
The Chiefs are favored to win the Super Bowl, as they have a potent offense that features star players like Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. They also have a solid defense that is led by Chris Jones, Tyrann Mathieu, and Frank Clark.
The 49ers are not intimidated by the Chiefs, as they have a balanced team that can match up with anyone. They have a strong running game that is powered by Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., and Deebo Samuel. They have a talented receiving corps that includes Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Chris Conley. They have a dominant defensive line that features Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, and Chase Young. They have a reliable secondary that consists of Richard Sherman, Jason Verrett, and Jimmie Ward.
Purdy said he is excited to play in the Super Bowl, and he is confident in his team’s chances. He said he has learned a lot from watching Mahomes’ playoff performances, and he hopes to emulate his success. He said he is not nervous, but rather grateful for the opportunity.
“I’m just living the dream, man. I’m just thankful for everything that has happened to me, and I’m ready to give it my all for my team and my city. I’m not here to be Mr. Irrelevant, I’m here to be Mr. Super Bowl,” Purdy said.
