- San Francisco 49ers. Brandon Aiyuk appears to shut door on staying with 49ers and already has his next team in mind
- San Francisco 49ers. 49ers QB Brock Purdy warns Patrick Mahomes' Chiefs, rest of NFL ahead of 2024 season
Brock Purdy's journey from being Mr. Irrelevant in 2022 to earning the complete trust of his San Francisco 49ers teammates is nothing short of remarkable. Once a rookie buried at the bottom of the depth chart, Purdy has now become the face of the franchise, demonstrating growth and leadership that has captivated his team.
George Kittle, the star tight end for the 49ers, has seen firsthand the evolution of Purdy's confidence. "He looks like the guy, which is really nice," Kittle shared with NBC Sports Bay Area during his annual Tight End University camp.
"He's in the building every day and is the same guy every single day, consistent. He's incredibly competitive. It's fun seeing him yell at guys when they don't hit their route depth or have the wrong landmark," said Kittle.
Purdy's journey from an overlooked rookie to a trusted leader began in 2022 when he unexpectedly led the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game. The following year, he helped the team clinch the conference title and nearly secured a Super Bowl victory, only to fall to Kansas City in a thrilling overtime battle.
His former teammates also praise his potential
"Super proud of Brock," former 49ers teammate Charlie Woerner commented. "He handled everything like a pro, coming in starting as the third string. From where he started, and how he showed up every day, just continuing being a pro, and ready for his opportunity. And when he got it, everyone knows he took advantage of it, and has been crushing it."
Even before Purdy took the field, head coach Kyle Shanahan saw his potential. As the 2022 season began, Shanahan confided in team owner Jed York that Purdy, despite being the last on the depth chart, seemed to be the best quarterback on the team.
"Brock was so good right away," Shanahan recalled before Super Bowl LVIII. "With every rep he got, he was always the same, and he only got a couple of them. So, it was easy for me to say, because in his few reps he was the best."
George Kittle is his most loyal defender
Purdy's consistent performance and dedication have clearly paid off. His ability to lead and command respect has infused him with a newfound confidence as he heads into his third NFL season.
"He's taking control of the offense and making it his," Kittle noted. "It's Kyle's, and Kyle is calling the plays, but Brock is getting guys to do what he wants them to do, which is really fun to see."
With a strong synergy between Purdy and Shanahan, the 49ers are poised to build on their recent success. The only goal left is to finish what they started and secure a Super Bowl triumph, a feat that now seems well within reach with Purdy at the helm.