San Francisco 49ers News

Home

Quizzes

Watch

Newsletter

Power Rankings

D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Brock Purdy Disclosed the ‘Heart Pounding’ Kyle Shanahan Moment That Shaped His NFL Career

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Ishan Misra | Last updated Jul 10, 2025 10:31 AM ET

Despite putting in extra effort during training in his rookie year, Brock Purdy still had a lingering feeling that he might not survive the final 49ers roster cut. Head coach Kyle Shanahan gave 2022’s Mr. Irrelevant the biggest scare of his life when he ordered him to collect his stuff.

Fans and football pundits did not expect much from Purdy, as he was the last guy selected in the draft. The Iowa State graduate ignored all the comments and kept grinding to catch the eyes of the 49ers’ coaches.

Rep after rep, like being consistent… Accurately ripping ’it in tight windows. Like all those little things [but] they [49ers coaches] didn’t really say that much, but I was like, they gotta be thinking something. I just didn’t know.
Brock Purdy told retired NFL athletes Will Compton and Taylor Lewan on the latest YouTube video of the Bussin’ With the Boys podcast

Purdy knew that the tape from the training camp wouldn’t be enough to tie down a roster spot. He needed to perform during the pre-season to impress Shanahan.

Once the pre-season preparations were over, Shanahan started inviting the rookies to his office for a chat. Purdy’s turn soon came.

We’re in the quarterback room, and then Kyle opened up the door and goes ‘Hey Brock can you grab your stuff and come talk to me’ I was like am I getting cut?
Brock Purdy said

His heart clearly sank after hearing those words from the coach. Fortunately, he wasn’t getting cut.

He goes, ‘Na, I’m kidding, set your stuff down, congrats, bro,’ and dapped me up… My heart was pounding.

Brock Purdy thought he was getting cut his rookie year:

“We’re in the quarterback room and then Kyle opened up the door and goes 'Hey Brock can you grab your stuff and come talk to me' I was like am I getting cut? and he goes 'Na I’m kidding set your stuff down, congrats Bro'… pic.twitter.com/cDINAd3bL2
— Coach Yac (@Coach_Yac) July 8, 2025

It’s hard to imagine how Purdy felt at that moment. He was still Mr. Irrelevant, but Mr. Irrelevant leaped over several players who were picked ahead of him in the draft to secure a starting roster spot.

The 2025 season will be crucial for Brock Purdy

Shanahan made the right call by keeping Purdy in 2022 because both Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance ended up in rehab. Purdy stepped up and led the 49ers to the NFC title game.

The following year, he went one better by winning the NFC title and playing in his first Super Bowl. However, the Kansas City Chiefs ended up winning the game against the Niners in overtime through a Mecole Hardman touchdown.

Purdy’s stocks were on the up. However, 2024 hit the 49ers hard. Several key players were on IR, including the 2023 OPOY Christian McCaffrey. The Niners finished last in the NFC West with a 6-11 record.

It was Purdy’s third year in the NFL, and the Niners had to choose whether to extend his contract or settle for a trade. According to the quarterback market, Purdy was trending in the same bracket as Dak Prescott’s $61 million a year extension with the Dallas Cowboys.

NFL analyst Nick Wright advised Shanahan to be frugal while dealing with Purdy.

I would offer Brock such a team-friendly, almost insulting deal that I didn’t expect him to take because I really do want to see him this year without a super team around him. If he looks like he did last year without a super team around him, and if that’s the case, then that’s simply a player you cannot pay $55+ million.
Wright said on First Things First

The Niners ignored Wright. Purdy signed a five-year $265 million contract extension to show how much they value the Pro Bowler. Wright is still not a fan. In his recent pre-training camp quarterback tier list, he placed Purdy below the likes of Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff, and CJ Stroud.

What would you change on @getnickwright's pre-Training Camp edition of Mahomes Mountain pic.twitter.com/oAEx3vfGrJ
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) July 8, 2025

Purdy has gotten used to being the underdog. He figured out a way to keep the noise from affecting him. He finally has a healthy squad around him with exciting additions through the draft and ChatGPT as the biggest supporter.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: