The San Francisco 49ers discovered a hidden gem in quarterback Brock Purdy, the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Purdy’s impressive performance has propelled the team to consecutive NFC Championship appearances, and they now find themselves competing for the coveted Super Bowl LVIII title.
Purdy’s ascent, however, was influenced by the injuries to two quarterbacks ahead of him on the depth chart, coupled with the potential addition of the legendary Tom Brady.
Purdy recently revealed that the 49ers informed him he would be the starter unless they managed to acquire Tom Brady before the 2023 season. Recounting a conversation with coach Kyle Shanahan, Purdy acknowledged the team’s pursuit of Brady, recognizing him as the “GOAT.”
On “The Eye Test for Two” podcast, 49ers General Manager John Lynch addressed Purdy’s comments and shed light on the team’s consideration of acquiring another quarterback like Brady.
Lynch explained that the team’s initial exploration of quarterback options was prompted by uncertainty regarding Purdy’s availability, as he was recovering from a UCL injury sustained in the previous year’s NFC Championship. With Trey Lance also nursing an ankle injury, the 49ers needed to assess all available options.
“And I think Kyle and Brock really have honest conversations. At some point, he said, ‘Look, I guess the one way you’re not a starter if you’re healthy is if we go get someone like Brady.’ And I presume that’s what happened, but anytime you mention something like that, it’s obviously going to make quite a story.”
Lynch also emphasized that the exploration of adding Brady wasn’t a reflection of a lack of confidence in Purdy’s abilities.
“But it wasn’t us saying to Brock, ‘Hey, we’re bringing in Brady. If not, maybe you’re the starter,'” Lynch said. “It was, I think, 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.
As you’re healing up, just understand we may have to go secure some other options.’ I think then we started tracking his progress, and he was beating every timeline throughout that, as a credit to his healing ability, the genes that he was blessed with. But probably more importantly, the work ethic and the vigor with which he attacked his rehab allowed him to beat all the timelines and be ready right when our season started.”
Of course, Purdy started the year healthy and played in all 16 of the team’s games (excluding Week 18 when San Francisco was resting starters). Now, he has them on the doorstep of a Super Bowl title, reminiscent of another late-round quarterback bursting out of obscurity in Brady.