Most people had never heard the name Brock Purdy until the 2022 NFL Draft – unless you were a fan of Iowa State University football, of course. He was the Cyclones’ third-string quarterback as a freshman in 2018, but earned a starter role later that season after their two other QBs were injured and ineffective.
He went on to throw for 12,170 yards, 81 touchdowns, and 33 interceptions in his four years (48 games played) at Iowa State. He led the team to a 29-17 record as a starter and ended his college career with 32 school records. He declared for the 2022 NFL Draft after his senior season, but wasn’t a top prospect.
There were nine quarterbacks taken in the 2022 NFL Draft and Brock Purdy was one of them. He was chosen by the San Francisco 49ers with the No. 262nd overall pick (7th round) – the final pick of the draft, making him that year’s Mr. Irrelevant. Of course, he went on to have an extremely relevant rookie season.
Brock Purdy Off to a Historic Start to His NFL Career
At the start of the 2022 regular season, Brock Purdy was a third-string quarterback on the 49ers’ depth chart – behind Trey Lance (starter) and Jimmy Garropolo (backup). Purdy quickly earned the backup role behind Jimmy when Lance suffered a season-ending injury in the team’s second game of the season.
Purdy took his first NFL snap during Week 5 of the 2022 season, but it was just a kneel to end the game. He took 10 offensive snaps two weeks later when he relieved Garropolo for the 49ers’ final drive of their Week 7 matchup against the Chiefs and he went 4 of 9 for 66 yards and 1 interception on that drive.
He briefly appeared in their Week 11 game (7 snaps), but it wasn’t until December 4 (Week 13) that he got his real first taste of an NFL game. He relieved Garropolo, who had gone down with an injury, and has been the team’s unquestioned starting quarterback ever since – proving his worth and proving his value.
Brock Purdy led the 49ers to a win on Dec. 4 and earned his first start the following week – leading the team to 10 consecutive regular season wins ever since. Let’s take a closer look at his historic win streak!
1. 49ers defeat Buccaneers 35-7 (Week 14 – Dec. 11, 2022)
Week 14 Stats: 16 of 21 (76.2%) for 185 yards, 3 total TD, 0 INT (3 rushing yards)
Career Stats: 45 of 67 (67.2%) for 461 yards, 5 total TD, 2 INT (5 rushing yards)
On December 11, 2022, Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers defeated Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 35-7 in Week 14 of the 2022 regular season – improving their record to 9-4 on the year. Purdy finished the game 16 of 21 (76.2%) for 185 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD, and a win.
All three of Purdy’s touchdowns came in the second quarter – giving his team a 28-0 lead at halftime. He had a 2-yard rushing TD with 12:55 left in the quarter, a 27-yard passing TD to Christian McCaffrey with 7:49 left in the quarter, and a 32-yard passing TD to Brandon Aiyuk with 15 seconds left in the quarter.
That third TD was quite a defining moment. The drive started with 2:29 left in the first half. CMC got a first down on the ground and Purdy completed 3 of his next 4 passes for 43 yards. His pass was intercepted with 28 seconds left, but there was a penalty on Tampa. The TD throw happened on the very next play.
2. 49ers defeat Seahawks 21-13 (Week 15 – Dec. 15, 2022)
Week 15 Stats: 17 of 26 (65.4%) for 217 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT (-2 rushing yards)
Career Stats: 62 of 93 (66.7%) for 678 yards, 7 total TD, 2 INT (3 rushing yards)
On December 15, 2022, Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers beat Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks 21-13 in Week 15 of the 2022 regular season – improving their record to 10-4-0 on the year. Purdy finished the game 17 of 26 (65.4%) for 217 yards, 2 passing touchdowns, and 0 interceptions.
Both of Purdy’s touchdowns were to his tight end, George Kittle. The first one came with 3:49 left in the first quarter – it was a 28-yard pass to Kittle on a drive that saw Christian McCaffrey rack up 50 yards. The second TD throw was a 54-yard strike to Kittle on what was just the second play of the second half.
Kittle had 4 catches for 93 yards and 2 TDs, while McCaffrey added 108 rushing yards, 30 receiving yards, and 1 TD. Talanoa Hufanga, Nick Bosa, and Samson Ebukam each had a sack on defense, while Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw each had a forced fumble – Charvarius Ward had a fumble recovery.
3. 49ers defeat Commanders 37-20 (Week 16 – Dec. 24, 2022)
Week 16 Stats: 15 of 22 (68.2%) for 234 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT (6 rushing yards)
Career Stats: 77 of 115 (67.0%) for 912 yards, 9 total TD, 3 INT (9 rushing yards)
On December 24, 2022, Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers defeated Taylor Heinicke and the Washington Commanders 37-20 in Week 16 of the 2022 regular season – improving their record to 11-4-0 on the year. Purdy finished the game 15 of 22 (68.2%) for 234 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception.
Both of Purdy’s touchdowns were to his tight end, George Kittle, and they both came in the third quarter. He threw a 34-yard strike to Kittle with 10:38 left in the quarter to give his team a 14-7 lead and followed that up with a 33-yard TD to Kittle with 4:52 left in the quarter to give his team a 21-7 lead – back-to-back!
Kittle ended the game with 6 catches for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Brandon Aiyuk added 5 catches for 81 yards in the win. Nick Bosa had 2.0 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, and 4 QB hits on defense, Fred Warner led the team with 12 tackles, and Jimmie Ward caught an interception.
4. 49ers defeat Raiders 37-34 in OT (Week 17 – Jan. 1, 2023)
Week 17 Stats: 22 of 35 (62.9%) for 284 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT (-3 rushing yards)
Career Stats: 99 of 150 (66%) for 1,196 yards, 11 total TD, 4 INT (6 rushing yards)
On January 1, 2023, Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers defeated Jarrett Stidham and the Las Vegas Raiders 37-34 in overtime in Week 17 of the 2022 regular season – improving their record to 12-4 on the year. Purdy finished the game 22 of 35 (62.9%) for 284 yards, 2 passing TDs, and 1 interception.
This was his fifth consecutive game with at least 2 passing TD and they both came in the first half – they were also both 2-yard throws. He threw a 2-yard TD pass to Brandon Aiyuk with 7:06 left in the first quarter and followed that up with a 2-yard TD pass to George Kittle with 9:38 left in the second quarter.
Christian McCaffrey had 121 rushing yards, 72 receiving yards, and 1 TD in the win, while Aiyuk ended the day with 9 catches for 101 yards and 1 TD. Tashaun Gipson and Drake Jackson each had an interception, while Fred Warner led the team with 12 tackles and Talanoa Hufanaga added nine more.
5. 49ers defeat Cardinals 38-13 (Week 18 – Jan. 8, 2023)
Week 18 Stats: 15 of 20 (75%) for 178 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT (7 rushing yards)
Career Stats: 114 of 170 (67.1%) for 1,374 yards, 14 total TD, 4 INT (13 rushing yards)
On January 8, 2023, Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers defeated David Blough and the Arizona Cardinals 38-13 in Week 18 of the 2022 regular season – improving their record to 13-4-0 on the year. Purdy finished the game 15 of 20 (75%) for 178 yards, 3 passing touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
This was Purdy’s sixth consecutive game with at least 2 passing touchdowns and his first-ever game with 3 passing touchdowns. He had a 21-yard passing TD to Christian McCaffrey in the 1st quarter, a 4-yard passing TD to George Kittle in the 2nd quarter, and a 1-yard passing TD to Kittle in the 3rd quarter.
Kittle ended the day with 4 catches for 29 yards and 2 TDs – marking his third multi-TD game since Purdy was named the starting QB and his 7th total TD in that span. Tashaun Gipson had two interceptions for the defense, George Odum had an interception, and both Nick Bosa and Jordan Willis had a sack.
6. 49ers defeat Steelers 30-7 (Week 1 – Sept. 10, 2023)
Week 1 Stats: 19 of 29 (65.5%) for 220 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT (20 rushing yards)
Career Stats: 133 of 199 (66.8%) for 1,594 yards, 16 total TDs, 4 INT (33 rushing yards)
On September 10, 2023, Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers defeated Kenny Pickett and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 of the 2023 regular season – starting their season off 1-0-0. Purdy finished the game 19 of 29 (65.5%) for 220 yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and 20 rushing yards.
This was Purdy’s seventh consecutive game with at least 2 passing TDs and they were both to his wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk – and they both came in the first half. He threw an 8-yard TD to Aiyuk with 9:29 left in the 1st quarter and followed that up with a 19-yard TD to Aiyuk with 13:30 left in the 2nd quarter.
Aiyuk finished the game with 8 catches for 129 yards and 2 TDs, while Christian McCaffrey had 152 rushing yards, 17 receiving yards, and 1 TD. Javon Hargrave and Kerry Hyder each ended the game with a sack, while Talanoa Hufanga and Charvarius Ward each ended the game with an interception.
7. 49ers defeat Rams 30-23 (Week 2 – Sept. 17, 2023)
Week 2 Stats: 17 of 25 (68.0%) for 206 yards, 1 rushing TD, 0 INT (5 rushing yards)
Career Stats: 150 of 224 (67.0%) for 1,800 yards, 17 total TDs, 4 INT (38 rushing yards)
On September 17, 2023, Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers defeated Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams 30-23 in Week 2 of the 2023 regular season – improving their record to 2-0-0 on the year. Purdy finished the game 17 of 25 (68.0%) for 206 yards, 1 rushing touchdown, and 0 interceptions.
Purdy failed to record a passing touchdown for the first time in his career, but did have a 1-yard rushing TD as time expired in the first half. Purdy was efficient and made all the right throws when they needed to be made, but the team relied heavily on its rushing tandem in Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel.
McCaffrey finished the game with 116 rushing yards, 19 receiving yards, and 1 TD, while Samuel added 38 rushing yards, 63 receiving yards, and 1 TD. Fred Warner had the team’s lone sack, they had four players with at least tackles, and Isaiah Oliver and Deommodore Lenoir each had an interception.
8. 49ers defeat Giants 30-12 (Week 3 – Sept. 21, 2023)
Week 3 Stats: 25 of 37 (67.6%) for 310 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT (-1 rushing yards)
Career Stats: 175 of 261 (67.0%) for 2,110 yards, 19 total TDs, 4 INT (37 rushing yards)
On September 21, 2023, Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers defeated Daniel Jones and the New York Giants 30-12 in Week 3 of the 2023 regular season – improving their record to 3-0-0 on the year. Purdy finished the game 25 of 37 (67.6%) for 310 yards, 2 passing touchdowns, and 0 interceptions.
This was Purdy’s eighth game of his career with at least 2 passing touchdowns and his fourth consecutive game without an interception. He threw a 9-yard TD to Ronnie Bell with 7:49 left in the second quarter and had a 27-yard TD throw to Deebo Samuel with 5:58 left in the fourth quarter to help seal the deal.
Christian McCaffrey finished the game with 85 rushing yards, 34 receiving yards, and 1 TD, and Samuel had 6 receptions for 129 yards and 1 TD in the win. Talanoa Hufanga had his second interception of the season, Nick Bosa and Javon Hargrave each had a sack, and Jake Moody made all 3 of his field goals.
9. 49ers defeat Cardinals 35-16 (Week 4 – Oct. 1, 2023)
Week 4 Stats: 20 of 21 (95.2%) for 283 yards, 2 total TDs, 0 INT (0 rushing yards)
Career Stats: 195 of 282 (69.1%) for 2,393 yards, 21 total TDs, 4 INT (37 rushing yards)
On October 1, 2023, Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers beat Joshua Dobbs and the Arizona Cardinals 35-16 in Week 4 of the 2023 regular season – improving their record to 4-0-0 on the year. Purdy finished the game 20 of 21 (95.2%) for 283 yards, 1 passing TD, 1 rushing TD, and 0 interceptions.
This is the second time Purdy had both a rushing TD and passing TD in the same game. He had a 6-yard TD pass to Christian McCaffrey with 5:22 left in the 2nd quarter to give his team a 21-3 lead, and followed that up with a 1-yard rushing TD with 1:59 left in the 4th quarter to help seal the deal for San Francisco.
McCaffrey finished the game with 106 rushing yards, 71 receiving yards, and 4 total TDs, while Brandon Aiyuk added 6 catches for 148 yards. Javon Hargrave had the team’s lone sack on defense, but Nick Bosa had 4 QB hits and 1 tackle for loss, and both Dre Greenlaw and Fred Warner had 10 tackles each.
10. 49ers defeat Cowboys 42-10 (Week 5 – Oct. 8, 2023)
Week 5 Stats: 17 of 24 (70.1%) for 252 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INT (0 rushing yards)
Career Stats: 212 of 306 (69.3%) for 2,645 yards, 25 total TDs, 4 INT (37 rushing yards)
On October 8, 2023, Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers defeated Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys 42-10 in Week 5 of the 2023 regular season – improving their record to 5-0-0 on the year. Purdy finished the game 17 of 24 (70.1%) for 252 passing yards, 4 passing touchdowns, and 0 interceptions.
This is the ninth time Purdy has thrown for at least 200 yards (fifth consecutive) and the ninth time Purdy threw at least 2 TDs in a game – his 4 TDs vs. Dallas are a career-high. Three of those TDs were thrown to George Kittle (who has now caught 10 of Purdy’s 22 career TDs) – the other went to Kyle Juszczyk.
Jordan Mason and Christian McCaffrey combined for 120 rushing yards, 27 receiving yards, and 2 TDs, while George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk combined for 7 catches for 125 yards and 3 TDs. The 49ers’ defense finished with three interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, 4.0 sacks, and a dominating win.
What’s Next for Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers?
What Brock Purdy is doing is something we’ve only seen once in the history of the NFL. In 2004, Ben Roethlisberger was thrust into a starting role when Tommy Maddox went down with an injury. He went on to win the first 13 regular season starts of his career between Week 3 in 2004 and Week 3 in 2005.
Purdy has an opportunity to break that record this season and certainly has the team around him to do it. He’ll first need to beat the Browns on Oct. 15, the Vikings on Oct. 23 (Monday Night Football), and the Bengals on Oct. 29 to tie Roethlisberger’s record, and then beat the Jaguars on Nov. 12 to break it.
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In the meantime, Brock Purdy is already drawing comparisons to some of the greatest of all-time – such as Tom Brady and Joe Montana. He still has a long way to go before he can be grouped into that elite company, but he has all the tools he needs to succeed and is in a prime position to win a Super Bowl.
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