In the seventh round and final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers added an extra pair of arms in their midst. They selected 2022 NFL Drafts’ Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy.
Having Trey Lance out of the season after breaking his ankle and another quarterback on their roster who cannot throw in Jimmy Garoppolo, the 49ers brought in Brock Purdy as a backup. The Iowa State quarterback was added to the team with the No.262 pick.
So, week three of the 2022-2023 NFL season just came to an end, and Purdy, one of the eight Cyclones currently in the NFL, is yet to make his debut. Still, is the brother of Chubba Purdy ready for the task ahead?
Brock Purdy’s Early Football Career
Purdy began his football career in 2015 at the newly opened Perry High School. His exceptional performances helped Perry High School establish itself as a football powerhouse in Arizona. He then led the team to the 6A Division AIA State Championship games in 2016 and 2017, in which they lost 65–28 and 48–42, respectively, both to Chandler High School.
During his stay at Perry, he attained an overall record of 27–13. He also won Gatorade’s Football Player of the year and the Arizona Republic’s high school football player of the year.
Purdy then proceeded to Iowa State University in 2018, where he was placed as the third option behind Kyle Kempt and Zeb Noland. Things quickly unfolded, and within no time, he had become the starter. That year, he started eight games and rushed for 308 yards and five touchdowns. He completed 146 of 220 passes for 2,250 yards, 16 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He officially returned as the starter in 2019.
Purdy then raised eyebrows in 2019 during a clash with Louisiana-Monroe. He gave one of the best performances in the history of Iowa State football. In the Cyclones’ 72-20 victory over the Monroes, Purdy connected on 21 of his 27 passes for 435 yards and three touchdowns while adding another 75 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Loyal, Forever, True. pic.twitter.com/mjKibAdk5c
— Brock Purdy (@brockpurdy13) January 8, 2022
The 2022 NFL Draft
Brock Purdy gave his all to the Iowa State program and helped the school raise standards for college football. So when the 2022 NFL Draft rolled out, the kid was more confident that he would be drafted as early as the fourth round. Well, he wasn’t lucky enough, but in the end, he became Mr irrelevant.
The San Francisco 49ers pounced on him with the No.262 pick and final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. As a result, they gave him a four-year deal worth $3.75 million, which he willingly signed. Purdy’s 2022 cap figure stands at $727 665, plus the agreement includes a $90,660 signing bonus.
In the moments after his draft, the Arizona-born QB didn’t hesitate to embrace his new title. He also made clear his intentions to carve out an outstanding and long-lasting position as an NFL quarterback.
“That’s what I want my job to be, to be an NFL quarterback, and now I have the opportunity to do so. That’s how I’m looking at it,” he said.
With more than 25 records from Iowa State, Purdy holds the position of the best quarterback Iowa has ever produced. He has 81 and 12,170 career passing touchdowns and career passing yards, respectively. Bret Meyer was Iowa’s best quarterback before Purdy, with 62 touchdowns. Purdy has 100 touchdowns, meaning he’s 38 more scores than Brett.
Purdy good 💯@brockpurdy13 x #49ersDraft pic.twitter.com/iWxEAT4NuC
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 30, 2022
Is Purdy Ready To Carry The Mantle?
Well, let’s start with yesterday’s game. For the second time in just three weeks, the 49ers had yet again one of their worst performances in a game in which they lost to the Broncos. Their first injury was against the Bears, where they sustained a 10–19 loss. Then they had a comeback against the Seahawks. A 27–7 win was an eye-opener. Then came yesterday’s game. The Broncos didn’t do them good.
Honestly, the 11-10 loss to the Broncos came as a surprise to most people. We didn’t expect that. This was also historical because, in history, it became the second NFL game to end with that score.
Nice throw from QB Brock Purdy to TE Ross Dwelley. #49ers pic.twitter.com/qXL2S6bsH8
— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) August 26, 2022
Final Thoughts
The San Francisco 49ers dropped below .500 in the NFC west due to the loss. But who’s to blame? And how did the 49ers lose this crucial match after a resounding performance and a wide-range win against the Seahawks just a week ago?
You see, football is an unpredictable game, and one player can’t carry the whole load, especially after a loss. Still, Sunday’s loss rests on Garoppolo’s head. From errant passes to a terrible late fourth-quarter interception, Jimmy Garoppolo took from the hands of the Niners a clearly deserved win and handed them an 11-10 loss.
We know the Niners coaching team feels the same, and sooner than later, something is going to be done. And what do you think is going to be done if not preparing Brock Purdy for the task ahead?
Since Purdy came in to seal loopholes like the ones Garoppolo left loose in yesterday’s game. And based on the game still, people feel it is time they give the Iowan a taste of what the NFL feels like. Purdy said during his draft that he will utilize every opportunity he gets to showcase what he has. And when that opportunity knocks, we’re going to see what he has to offer.
#49ers draft QB Brock Purdy. Purdy threw for 3,188 yards with a 71.7% CMP%. 19 TD & 8 Ints #49wz pic.twitter.com/7211C83AY5
— WayneBreezie (@thewaynebreezie) April 30, 2022
Credits on Featured Image: Daniel Hartwig
