Brock Purdy nearly had a movie-worthy rookie season as he came close to guiding the team to the Super Bowl. Stepping in as the starting quarterback after injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, he might have hoisted the Lombardi Trophy if he hadn't sustained a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his throwing arm during the NFC Championship Game.
Now, Purdy finds himself with the opportunity to finish the job he set out to accomplish as a rookie: leading the 49ers to Super Bowl glory.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday at the team's hotel, the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa, Purdy reflected on his journey and the moment he realized his teammates had unwavering trust in him.
"Last year, when I stepped in, we were on a roll as a team," Purdy shared. "Obviously, we had the Super Bowl on our minds and in our sights. So for me, really, it was like, 'All right, we're rolling. I'm just continuing to do what Jimmy had done before,' and didn't want to lose a step or take a step back as an offense.
"So for me, I didn't really know or understand until probably this year. We went on a roll, we were 5-0, and then, honestly, when we went on a streak of losing some games, that's, I feel, when you start questioning and seeing how guys respond to you."
This juncture proved pivotal for the second-year quarterback. Would the support inside the locker room continue even as the 49ers faced setbacks?
"My team had my back," Purdy affirmed. "Even through those three games that we lost in a row, you had guys on defense, [LB] Dre Greenlaw, [LB] Fred [Warner], [DT] Arik Armstead, all those guys continue to come up to me and say, 'Dude, we got your back.'
"This is the NFL. It's not easy. And so it was in those moments that I knew I was all right. These guys got my back, and we can go."
Despite the challenges, the 49ers rallied, clinching the NFC West title and securing the top seed in the NFC. With two remarkable come-from-behind victories in the playoffs, Purdy and the 49ers will aim to beat the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday and become Super Bowl champions.
More must-reads: