Brock Purdy entered his draft class with limited arm strength, according to scouts who also criticized the lack of quickness to his throws. There was also little mention of his mobility.
That labored arm and mobility, one year later, has lifted the San Francisco 49ers back into the Super Bowl stage after beating the Detroit Lions 34-31 at Levi’s Stadium. And in the process, the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft class continues to rewrite the constant narrative that has been attached to him since his ascension to the Niners’ starting quarterback job.
How Brock Purdy Used the Traits He Supposedly Lacked in Epic Comeback
The first-ever NFC Championship Game featuring a top overall pick (Jared Goff) and the last pick of his draft class (Purdy) was among the overarching narratives Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
Another description frequently thrown around ahead of this game? “Game manager,” a title bestowed on Purdy.
Yet, with a fellow non-first-round QB in attendance in the legendary Joe Montana, Purdy added a new chapter to his growing 49ers legacy. And he did it by resorting to what QB gurus would classify as non-system traits.
His “limited arm strength” was responsible for this crucial connection to Brandon Aiyuk with the Niners down 24-10 – one that saw Aiyuk deftly keep track of the deflected ball.
AIYUK UNBELIEVABLE!
📺: #DETvsSF on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/gm8L5xwa9D— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2024
That “slow pocket setup” and trouble with hitting tight-window throws that scouts had attributed to Purdy were nowhere to be found when the second-year quarterback subsequently threaded the needle to Aiyuk for a touchdown between two Lions defenders.
Purdy ➡️ Aiyuk
It’s a one-score game in Santa Clara 👀🍿#FTTB | #OnePride
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 29, 2024
And the “wheels” that never garnered much mention in his draft profile were prominently on display here:
Brock Purdy showing off the wheels 💨
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 29, 2024
The QB labeled “system quarterback” and “game manager” by critics ended his evening by pulling off the following:
- Combining for 315 total yards, 267 which came through the air.
- Averaged 9.6 yards per carry — more than what Most Valuable Player favorite Lamar Jackson had in his game versus the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Averaged 8.6 yards per play while helping his wide receivers to an average of 13.4 yards per catch.
- Finally, with his team down 24-7, Purdy sparked an astonishing 27-7 run to secure the NFC title.
Purdy not only got his Niners back to the Super Bowl, but he earned the accolades of many, including a former 49er who was a part of the team’s last run to the big game.
“Game Manager” Label Gets Ripped by Former 49er Richard Sherman
Super Bowl-winning cornerback and current Amazon Prime analyst Richard Sherman slammed Purdy’s critics.
“Wait…Did Brock Purdy make clutch plays with his arm and legs to help his team in the NFC championship. Epic comeback? Wait I thought?!!!!! Game manager…” Sherman posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
MORE: NFL Playoff Bracket
Meanwhile, CBS Sports analyst and perennial Pro Bowler J.J. Watt believes it’s time to show Purdy more respect.
“Mr. Irrelevant to Super Bowl starting QB in 2 years is crazy man…Give that man Brock Purdy his flowers,” Watt posted.
Even Purdy’s All-Pro linebacker teammate Fred Warner mocked the “game manager” rhetoric applied to Purdy.
“Heck of a game manager, wow. Managed the heck out of that game,” Warner told NBC Sports Bay Area after the win.
Purdy himself sounded off on all the labels he’s been given. The seventh-rounder does acknowledge he’s never been the most athletic guy. But he’s prideful in how he’s made up for it.
“I’ve never been the biggest the fastest, the strongest. I feel like I’ve always had to fight for what I get and work for what I get,” Purdy said to reporters after the game.
“I’ve never been the biggest the fastest, the strongest. I feel like I’ve always had to fight for what I get and work for what I get.”
Brock Purdy on keys to his journey from last pick in the draft to Super Bowl quarterback. pic.twitter.com/tCbD7JhrUD
— KNBR (@KNBR) January 29, 2024
One year after nearly going undrafted, Purdy has a new label: Super Bowl starter.
He’s putting to rest the negative labels previously affixed to him. He’s made believers of both past and current NFL defenders. Now, he’s one win away from going from final pick to becoming the 49ers QB who ended the franchise’s long three-decade Super Bowl title drought.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!
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