SANTA CLARA – 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy takes the field Sunday for his first Week 1 start in the NFL.
After just eight starts at the end of his rookie season, he will also hold the title of captain of the 49ers team.
“He’s our captain,” 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk said of Purdy. “He is our leader. He’s the quarterback of this team.”
Purdy, 23, is the youngest of the six players selected as captains, coach Kyle Shanahan announced Wednesday.
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel is a captain for the first time. Tight end George Kittle, left tackle Trent Williams, defensive lineman Arik Armstead and linebacker Fred Warner were re-appointed to their leadership roles.
Purdy won the locker room last season after rising from No. 3 on the depth chart to lead the 49ers deep into the postseason.
The only question heading into this offseason was whether Purdy would be healthy enough to open the season as a starter. After major elbow surgery, he was cleared for the first day of training camp.
Purdy proved he was worthy of a leadership role last season, Shanahan said.
“Guys can think you’re a leader,” he said. “You can act like a leader. But guys don’t follow a lot of people who don’t perform on the field and I think that’s why he got so many votes this year because they believed in him and last year they felt like he be one of the leaders.”
The only game the 49ers lost with Purdy at quarterback last season was the NFC Championship Game, when he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in the first quarter.
Shanahan said it is not necessarily a requirement for the team’s starting quarterback to be elected captain. Trey Lance, the Week 1 starter a year ago, was not voted captain.
However, Purdy received a lot of support in the locker room as the 49ers prepared for their Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I just think about the way he’s carried himself since he’s been here, being a real professional, getting everyone going, giving the offense confidence, giving the defense confidence and everyone around the building To give self-confidence,” said Aiyuk.
Samuel’s rise to captaincy was also a remarkable development. He was not selected as a team captain last season following his 2021 All-Pro season.
“I think it hurt him a little bit not being captain,” Aiyuk said. “I’m excited for him to come back this year and be captain.”
Samuel admitted to having a poor season last year, but returned to training camp in better physical condition and with a greater sense of urgency.
“For him to be one of those guys, especially the way last year ended for him, shows how dedicated he was,” Shanahan said.
Defensive end Nick Bosa was a team captain last season. He ended his 44-day contract term on Wednesday.
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