From third-row rookie quarterback to QB1, it’s safe to say Brock Purdy is making the most of his opportunity with the 49ers.
The 22-year-old quarterback has only started two games in his fledgling NFL career, but both inspiring performances have already earned him an out-of-this-world comparison. Literally.
Former 49ers quarterback Steve Young joined KNBR 680’s “Tolbert & Copes” Wednesday to discuss his first impressions of Purdy and used a unique analogy to describe the quarterback’s journey from Mr. Irrelevant to starter.
“Thing is, it’s hard to read and that’s why the 49ers picked him in the seventh round. What makes it so difficult is the – I call it the ‘Force,’ like the Star Wars reference,” Young said. “Has anyone the power?
“And usually the force we’re talking about is Obi-Wan Kenobi or Yoda. They have this thing that you can’t describe, but you feel it, you know it, you can feel it.”
Interesting.
Purdy was promoted to the starter after veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo went down in Week 13 with a foot injury. In his first NFL start, Purdy was nearly perfect in the 49ers’ 35-7 win over the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then had another solid performance against the San Francisco division in a 21-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Purdy has completed 69 percent of his passes for 612 passing yards, six touchdowns, one interception and a 108.8 passer rating in his last three games.
“Scouts don’t know when [players] have the power,” Young continued. “All they can do is measure you. That’s why there are so many first-round errors. Because they don’t know how to judge if someone has the power. And when someone does that, no matter where they’re drafted, you’re like, ‘Oh, you had the power? Who knew!’ I think that’s the cool thing about young Brock.”
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As the 49ers prepare for their Week 16 matchup against the Washington Commanders on Saturday, they’re hoping their young but confident quarterback can lead them to their eighth straight win.
May the force be with Purdy and the 49ers for the rest of the season.
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