Hall of Famer praises 49ers' Brock Purdy for game-winning drive vs. Packers

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy struggled in rainy conditions during this past Saturday's divisional playoff matchup against the Green Bay Packers until he guided his offense on a 12-play, 69-yard drive that resulted in what became a game-winning touchdown scored with 1:07 remaining in regulation. 

49ers legend and Hall of Famer Steve Young spoke during a Monday appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show" about Purdy being at his best when the club needed him most. 

"He became 'Mr. Efficient,'" Young said about Purdy, per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. "The ball came out, they made the completions, they made the plays. He did everything that you would want a Super Bowl quarterback to do in the key moments."

Specifically, Coral Smith of the NFL's website pointed out that Purdy completed six-of-seven passes for 47 yards and also connected with five different targets during San Francisco's final meaningful offensive drive of the game. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw then sealed the 24-21 win with his second interception of the outing.

"And he's young. It's amazing," Young added about Purdy. "There's going to be a movie about him. There's going to have to be a movie about him at some point. And I've interviewed him, and know him, and he's just a fascinating human being."

Purdy began his NFL career as the final pick of the 2022 draft before he emerged as a rookie sensation who had his start in last January's NFC Championship Game ruined by the fact that he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow early into that contest. Much continues to be made about whether Purdy is more of a "game manager" than a "game-changing" quarterback, but Young seems to have no doubts about the 24-year-old's abilities. 

"And again, I think he's one of the best in the league, and he does it in his own Brock Purdy way," Young continued while speaking with Eisen. "And I've said for over a year, let Brock cook. Give him a play, let him figure it out, and he will figure it out. He's got a special mind that can figure stuff out."

Against the Packers, Purdy completed 23-of-39 passes for 252 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Matt Schneidman of The Athletic noted that Green Bay defenders dropped at least two picks on Saturday. 

As of Monday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the 49ers as seven-point favorites for this Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Detroit Lions held at San Francisco's Levi's Stadium. 

Purdy likely will have to give the hosts more than just one elite drive to lead them past Detroit all the way to Super Bowl LVIII.