San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has repeatedly silenced his critics.
According to David Lombardi of The Athletic, Purdy dispelled many doubts with a single throw during his first significant NFL appearance. This moment occurred in the 2022 regular-season game against the Miami Dolphins. The Niners had lost their previous starter, Jimmy Garoppolo, to a severe ankle injury that ended his time in San Francisco, casting a shadow over the season.
How could a seventh-round draft pick step in and give the team a fighting chance?
Remarkably, that’s precisely what Purdy did.
Watching the full highlights from that game is worthwhile to see how Purdy was fully prepared for the big stage in his debut NFL action.
The throw Lombardi refers to occurs around the two-minute mark of the video. It is a remarkable throw from Purdy, who immediately faces pressure from an unblocked rusher. He stands firm in the pocket, releases the ball, takes a big hit, and completes a nearly 20-yard pass to tight end George Kittle on 3rd-and-10.
Most rookie quarterbacks in that situation would have panicked or scrambled, but Purdy remained calm, composed, and precise, delivering a perfect pass.
This moment was just the beginning of showcasing Purdy’s abilities, but it was a significant preview. Lombardi highlighted that throw for good reason—it was the best under-pressure throw in the game. Watching the full video reveals Purdy’s overall skill set: his ability to scramble and improvise when necessary, check down when no options are available downfield, and methodically go through his reads to find the right receiver.
It’s clear why head coach Kyle Shanahan saw potential in Purdy even before the season began, prompting him to tell 49ers CEO Jed York that Purdy was the best quarterback on the team.
Some still doubt Purdy’s abilities, but those who have watched him from the start recognize his special talent, making him one of the league’s better quarterbacks.
