Brock Purdy’s journey from “Mr. Irrelevant” to franchise quarterback has been one of the most compelling storylines in the NFL over the past few seasons. And while the label from the 2022 NFL Draft still lingers, it’s clear he’s flipped the narrative - not just surviving, but thriving under center for the San Francisco 49ers.
Former 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia knows a thing or two about being overlooked. Undrafted out of college, Garcia had to take the long road through the CFL before finally breaking through in the NFL in his late 20s - and doing it in the shadow of a legend like Steve Young. So when he talks about Purdy’s underdog mentality, it’s coming from a place of experience.
“I think he really carries that underdog mentality deep within him,” Garcia said during an interview at Radio Row. “He doesn’t say it, but that drives him. He’s extremely intelligent.”
It’s that quiet drive - the kind that doesn’t need to be shouted from the rooftops - that’s helped Purdy become one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league. In just four years, he’s already led the 49ers to two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance. That’s not just impressive; that’s elite company.
Garcia sees a throughline in Purdy’s story - from being underestimated in high school, to flying under the radar at Iowa State, to now proving himself on football’s biggest stage.
“He’s the guy that’s always been underestimated in some sort of way, and yet, continues to prove himself,” Garcia said. “He’s got that drive, that dedication that is important to have at that position.”
And it’s not just about raw talent. Garcia pointed to the intangibles - the stuff that doesn’t show up in a box score but wins games.
The film study. The physical prep.
The ability to extend plays just enough to make something happen. The leadership that doesn’t feel forced.
“He’s a gym rat,” Garcia continued. “He’ll study film until he figures it out.
He’ll keep his body in shape. He does just enough athletically to lengthen a play if necessary.
But he’s such a great leader on the field without overdoing it. It comes naturally.
He’s very unassuming. Cool, calm, and collected, like they used to call Joe [Montana].”
That’s high praise - and not thrown around lightly in the Bay Area.
Purdy’s even-keeled demeanor has become a defining trait. Whether it’s a crucial third down in a playoff game or a routine snap in the second quarter, he rarely looks rattled. There’s a poise to his game that belies his age and experience, and Garcia believes that’s what sets him apart.
“You see the moments of excitement and the little things he does after a score,” Garcia said. “But he is so even-keeled in a sense of just staying in the moment.
I think it’s great. I think how he handles the position, how he executes the game is ahead of his time as far as years of experience in the league and ahead of the players that play his position at this level.”
And yet, Garcia believes Purdy still isn’t getting the full credit he deserves.
It’s a fair point. For all the wins, for all the efficiency, for all the calm leadership, there’s still a segment of fans and analysts who hesitate to put Purdy in the upper tier of NFL quarterbacks. But if you ask those who’ve played the position - especially those who’ve walked the same uphill path - the respect is already there.
Because at this point, Brock Purdy isn’t just proving people wrong. He’s proving he belongs.