“For me, it’s always just been one thing at a time. Don’t try to get caught up in the future… from the late recruiting process to getting drafted last and then making the team. And I feel like that’s just been the story of my life, and I’ll never forget that. I’ll always try to have that chip on my shoulder.” From the 262nd draft pick, all the way to QB1, Brock Purdy’s rise is what every 49ers fan is talking about right now. But behind the man with a signature football IQ is a team that never lets him give up. And we’re not just talking about the 49ers.
Brock Purdy is celebrating a historic contract extension, and he’s doing it with his fam in tow. After the deal was done, he and his wife Jenna went back to Arizona to spend some time with his family. As Purdy put it, “talking about stories and memories from hitting ground balls in the backyard with my dad to coming in late from practice – Just all the little things and being grateful for it all and what a blessing all of it has been.” The family proudly celebrated Purdy’s $265 million extension. Amidst the celebrations, Purdy was also reminded of the time he almost gave up on football.
In a recent interview with 49ers reporter Lindsey Pallares, Brock Purdy took a tour of the past. He recalled the times he spent as a kid with his dad, Shawn Purdy, “playing catch with us in the living room and breaking some of my mom’s flower vases and stuff around the house – he was the dad that loved to see us compete and have fun and love what we do…” And then Purdy remembered one particular EastWest Shrine game where he was ready to hang the cleats and walk away. It was his dad who pulled him through at that time. Purdy said, “he and I were in the hotel room after the East West Shrine game. I was just sitting there like dad I don’t know… if football is going to be a thing or not.” But Shawn wasn’t going to let his boy give up.
Shawn Purdy went on to tell Brock, “dude just keep sticking it out, be where your feet are at and take it one day at a time and see where God takes you…” And Purdy listened. He doubled down and worked hard. So, now, when the family celebrates his contract, his dad remembered that time, too, “isn’t that crazy like we were just sitting in that hotel room and you didn’t know what your future was going to look like, but here you are.” Here he is. Brock Purdy remains the long-term QB1 for the 49ers for the next 6 years. Given that he can deliver the team to some much-needed wins. But he’s not worried. There’s a little shift in the 49ers locker room that his teammates are noticing.
Brock Purdy’s next steps for the 49ers
Brock Purdy isn’t the Mr. Irrelevant who was once overlooked. He’s building a new narrative for himself, one that’s dripping with confidence. The guy even set a goal for himself. “I think for sure I’m a top 10 quarterback.” With his ‘no-trade clause’, we will continue to see him lead the 49ers all the way through 2030. Unless that ‘opt-out’ in 2028 becomes necessary. Or if the team decides to cut him after the 2026 season. But is he worried about that? No. “I mean, I think for me it’s how can I… push myself every single to day to obviously get better, both what I’m putting on tape and then just who I am as a human coming in here and elevating the guys around me more than anything is how can I… master my craft at quarterback and do my job really well to help this team win.”
San Francisco 49ers Brock Purdy speaks to the media at Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on Monday, February 5, 2024. The San Francisco 49ers will play the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, February 11, 2024. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY SBP20240205137 JohnxAngelillo
And this energy is rubbing off on his teammates, too. As most recently, TE George Kittle noticed, some changes around Brock Purdy are all too welcome. Kittle also got a sweet 4-year extension worth $76 million for himself this offseason. And as Kittle put it, “One thing I’ve already seen from Brock this offseason, just being back around for all of [the offseason program] and stuff, is just his voice is heard significantly more in the building, which I love – whether he’s breaking down the team, talking in the locker room. He’s always kind, he’s always nice to everybody, but he’s just more vocal to everybody in team settings, which is huge.”
Purdy is more confident, more sure of his place as a leader of the 49ers. Fans will be gearing up to see what this change brings to his plays. The preseason is rolling around quickly. The Mr. Relevant story rewrite has just begun, and it’s already shaping up to be one for the books. Is this change in attitude exactly what the 49ers need after last season’s 6-11 record? What do you think?
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