In the NFL, the name “Mr. Irrelevant” is given to the player last picked in the NFL Draft, often mockingly implying that they won’t be very good. Historically, this was usually the case, until Brock Purdy was drafted in 2022.
Brock Purdy, like every other Mr. Irrelevant, was just a college kid happy for a chance in the NFL. Being drafted to the 49ers, even as Mr. Irrelevant, was a massive achievement. At the time of the draft, the 49ers had just lost a conference championship to the LA Rams, the eventual Super Bowl champion. Their quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, who had led them to a Super Bowl appearance in 2019, was injured toward the end of the 2022 season. This injury provided an opportunity for second-string quarterback Trey Lance. However, Lance was also injured with many games remaining before the postseason, leaving Brock Purdy as the only quarterback option for the 49ers.
The 24-year-old quarterback had everything to play for. He was given the starting role with no other options for the 49ers. Brock seized this opportunity, throwing for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns (Espn.com) and leading the 49ers to a win against the Dolphins. This victory catapulted him into an outstanding run of form, leading the team undefeated all the way to the NFC Championship game, where he was injured as the team fell to the Eagles.
In the 2023 season, Brock Purdy was given the starting role in San Francisco. He threw for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns, achieving a 12-4 record for San Francisco (Espn.Com), and leading them into the playoffs where they were recently crowned NFC champions and secured a ticket to the 2023 Super Bowl. Brock Purdy aims to achieve what seemed impossible in 2022, potentially becoming the first quarterback picked last in the NFL draft to win a Super Bowl. The challenge is formidable, as he will face the 2-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Purdy has already proved many wrong, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him do it again.
