How Philip Rivers helped 49ers during Brock Purdy's rookie season

Quarterback Brock Purdy went from being the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft to serving as the San Francisco 49ers' starter in December of his rookie campaign after Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo were sidelined with injuries.

It's no secret that 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan kept in touch with Rivers that season. During a Thursday appearance on San Francisco Bay Area sports radio station KNBR, Shanahan revealed more information about his conversations with Rivers roughly three years ago. 

Philip Rivers was ready to play for 49ers during 2022 season

 "I remember talking to Philip through it, and [he] was just like, 'Man, you're right. [Purdy] is playing good, but I'll be ready if there's an injury,'" Shanahan explained, per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. "And so, Philip, our players didn't know or anything, but he was always in our install meetings on Zoom, and he was studying stuff like that, and watching it, usually with his son, and preparing for that moment." 

Purdy was a revelation as a first-year pro, as he won seven straight starts through the playoffs. However, he then suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow during San Francisco's NFC Championship Game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Rivers could have started for the 49ers had they advanced to the Super Bowl.

Philip Rivers almost started in a Super Bowl for the Niners

"Brock just went on such a roll, never lost a game," Shanahan continued. "And I just remember, when he tore his UCL in the playoff game, sitting there, whenever it was, the first quarter, and I remember them telling me he tore his UCL. And I was like, 'What does that mean?' They're like, 'That means he's done.' I go, 'For the game?' And they're like, 'No, he's done for the year. He's going to have to get surgery.' And right there, I was like, 'All right, we've got to win this. And I hope Philip's still ready, because that means he's coming next week.'"

Rivers hasn't played since the 2020 season, but he came out of retirement to join the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad this week. He is expected to start for the 8-5 Colts when they play at the 10-3 Seattle Seahawks this coming Sunday. 

Perhaps Rivers, 44, wouldn't feel the need to make a comeback this December had he been able to guide the 49ers to a Super Bowl title in February 2023.