Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers are heading to Super Bowl LVIII. To get here, they’ve defeated both the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions. A big reason for their success has been quarterback Brock Purdy.
Purdy’s performance even impressed many NFL observers. According to NFL analyst Ryan Clark, Purdy has separated him from the pack. What did Clark say?
NFL Analyst Says Purdy has Separated From the Pack
Purdy, who is in just his second year in the NFL, was taken with the 262nd and final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He started just five games in his rookie season, but he went undefeated and led the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game, where he suffered an elbow injury.
In 2023, Purdy had the opportunity to start for an entire season. Despite many labeling him as a game manager, he passed for 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He was named a finalist for the NFL’s MVP award.
Against the Lions, Purdy went 20 of 31 for 267 yards with one touchdown and one interception and added five rushes for a critical 48 yards. However, even with solid but unspectacular stats, Purdy led the 49ers on a 17-point comeback, scoring 27 unanswered points to secure the NFC title. Purdy will now get to play in his first Super Bowl.
“Brock Purdy has separated himself from Dak Prescott, Brock Purdy has separated himself from Tua Tagovailoa, Brock Purdy has separated himself from guys like Kirk Cousins and Justin Herbert,” said Clark.
Prescott, similar to Purdy, is also an MVP finalist in 2023. He passed for 4,516 yards, 36 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Prescott led the Cowboys to a 12-5 regular-season record, but they fell to the Packers in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Tagovailoa has also earned NFL Honors recognition, being named a finalist for the Comeback Player of the Year award. In 2023, he passed for a league-high 4,624 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
Neither Herbert nor Cousins played full seasons in 2023, but both were putting up major numbers before their injuries. Herbert played 13 games, passing for 3,134 yards, 20 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Cousins, on the other hand, played just eight games, passing for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
MORE: Super Bowl 58 Early Preview
“Brock purdy did what we would have expected Lamar Jackson to do,” said Clark of how Purdy played when the moment was the biggest. “Brock purdy won the football game.”
Purdy and the 49ers will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11. The game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET on CBS with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo on the call.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!