Brock Purdy: “That Chip’s Still There — And It’s Heavy”

When Brock Purdy stepped onto the field as Mr. Irrelevant — the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft — few believed he’d ever start a game in the NFL, let alone lead one of the league’s most storied franchises. But less than two years later, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback is not only a starter — he’s a star. And yet, the doubts that followed him into the league still linger in his mind. Not as insecurity, but as fuel.

In a recent interview, Purdy opened up about his mindset heading into the new season.

“That chip’s still there — and it’s heavy,” he said. “I remember how people talked when I got drafted. I remember what I was labeled. That hasn’t gone away — and I don’t want it to.”

Purdy’s path to the top of the 49ers depth chart wasn’t smooth. Injuries to key players gave him an unexpected shot in 2022, but it was his calm under pressure and precise execution that turned heads. By the time San Francisco reached the NFC Championship Game, Purdy was no longer a backup — he was a believer’s dream and a doubter’s dilemma.

Now, heading into a season where expectations are sky-high, Purdy is carrying not just the weight of a team, but the burden of perception. He’s not forgetting his underdog roots — he’s embracing them.

“I still play like I have something to prove,” Purdy said. “Because I do. Every week. Every snap.”

His work ethic hasn’t gone unnoticed by teammates or coaches. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has praised Purdy’s maturity and leadership, saying the young quarterback “prepares like a 10-year veteran.”

For fans, Purdy’s story resonates. He represents the overlooked, the underestimated — the ones who aren’t handed success, but fight for it. In a league often obsessed with measurables and draft hype, Purdy is proof that grit and determination still matter.

Off the field, Purdy remains grounded. He rarely speaks in headlines, avoids controversy, and focuses on football and faith — values that have made him a fan favorite in the Bay Area.

With training camp underway and a tough schedule ahead, the pressure is on. But if there’s one thing Brock Purdy has proven, it’s that pressure doesn’t break him — it builds him.

“I’m not here to be a flash in the pan,” he said. “I’m here to last.”