Since he was the last choice of the 2022 NFL Draft, Brock Purdy has battled with public opinion on a large scale. Purdy told 49ers icon Steve Young during a recent sit-down chat that he stays calm. Young asked Purdy how he manages the unjust impression that he may never match Lamar Jackson's quickness or Josh Allen's size. The Pro Bowl QB responded thoughtfully.
"That's a perception that you can have, even for myself, thinking [about] those kinds of people who say, 'He's not this, he's not that,'" Purdy told Young. "But again, like I said, my identity isn't in football."
"You refuse? Nothing from outside gets past the filter?" In answer, Young inquired.
"100%, yes," Purdy answered. "Not having my identity in football, life, or the things that might come with it is a godsend. I'm grateful and don't take anything for granted, but I try to keep it light. Not cling onto 'I need to be the guy or the starter in the NFL.' The more you think like that, the more you compare yourself to Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, etc.
Nice men, but I'm not them and they're not me. I know myself, and God, if you want me to achieve something big with football, wonderful. If not, let's do anything else wherever you need me. That's helped me play freely without self-pressure.
"It's allowed me to live my life and keep things simple." Outside chatter varies in topic: some mistrust Purdy's ability and want him to fail, while others exploit his draft pick against him. Despite the 24-year-old's continued success, skeptics will remain.
The 49ers faithful are confident in Purdy after seeing him set the team record for passing yards in 2023 and now await his second consecutive NFL playoff trip.
The divisional playoff match at Levi's Stadium on Saturday will pit Purdy and the 49ers against Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers, another rookie quarterback who has had to prove himself.