49ers quarterback Brock Purdy knew it was just a matter of time before he took over the starting job.
During an appearance on the “Built 4 More” podcast Wednesday, Purdy reflected on his journey of being “overlooked” throughout his career and explained that things changed when Jimmy Garoppolo took over for Trey Lance during the 2022 season.
“Dude, I’m not gonna lie, during camp and stuff, all the compeтιтions were going on and Trey [Lance] was the guy … and we’re competing with [Nate Sudfeld] and I knew that I could rip the ball,” Purdy said when asked at what point did he know he had secured the starting job.
“And going up against some dudes that I’ve watched growing up on the practice field and then in preseason games — so that sort of gave me some confidence, like ‘I can do this thing.’ I don’t know how it’s going to go down because there’s guys in front of me with Trey Lance and then later when Jimmy Garoppolo joined again.
“But once Jimmy became the starter [in 2022] I was like ‘I get some playing time this year. I just don’t know when.’”
Purdy, who was the Mr. Irrelevant of the 2022 NFL Draft, got his chance when Garoppolo went down with a foot injury in Week 13.
The 49ers finished with a 13-4 mark and lost to the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.
Purdy has kept the starting job ever since he took over for Garoppolo.
He led the 49ers the NFC Championship Game in 2023 and then the Super Bowl, where San Francisco lost to the Chiefs, 25-22, in overtime last February.
Purdy threw for 3,864 yards and 20 touchdowns with 12 interceptions in the 2024 season, but the 49ers missed the playoffs after their roster was riddled with injuries.
Garoppolo spent a season with the Raiders and was benched for rookie Aidan O’Connell before being released by Las Vegas last March.
He served as Matthew Stafford’s backup last season.
Earlier this month, Garoppolo re-signed with the Rams on a one-year deal.
