One of the biggest surprises in the NFL, if not the biggest surprise, over the last two weeks has been the emergence of Brock Purdy as an apparently competent quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.
He was the last player chosen in April’s draft, and as a result, he has been called “Mr. Irrelevant” by both fans and the media.
But on Sunday, he led the 49ers to a 35-7 thrashing of Tom Brady and the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Purdy completed 16 of 21 passes and connected on two touchdown passes, and in doing so, he outplayed Brady, who went 34 of 55 and had two interceptions.
The NFL community on Twitter had a field day with this development.
Brock Purdy to Tom Brady pic.twitter.com/dR5lfje57f
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) December 11, 2022
Some even started to build something of a hype machine for Purdy.
Pretty amazing that Tom Brady got to see Joe Montana, Steve Young and Brock Purdy play in person.
—Brian Peacock (@BDPeacock) December 11, 2022
Incredibly special for Bay Area-native Tom Brady to get to see both The Catch and Brock Purdy’s first start in person.
— Nora Princiotti (@NoraPrinciotti) December 11, 2022
It seems a little disrespectful for Fox to put up a graphic comparing Brock Purdy to Tom Brady. For one thing, Brady was never as good of a runner.
—Grant Brisbee (@GrantBrisbee) December 11, 2022
Not only did Purdy prove he could play at the NFL level, but he became the first QB to defeat Tom Brady in his first career start, which is an accomplishment that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Brock Purdy is the first QB to beat Tom Brady in his first career start 🐐 pic.twitter.com/4JHJDKwksc
— The Sports Troll (@TheSportsTroll) December 12, 2022
Purdy Looks Poised
In both of his last two games, Purdy has looked especially comfortable for someone who is not only a rookie, but one who hasn’t gotten any real playing time yet.
As time goes on, opposing teams will start to have a book on him and will be able to prepare a game plan to try to stop him, and he will have to adjust and come up with some counters.
But until then, the 49ers have, at the very least, a stopgap solution under center that can allow them to at least make some noise in the NFL playoffs.
