The San Francisco 49ers were on the verge of signing Tom Brady out of retirement to replace Brock Purdy as their quarterback. Head coach Kyle Shanahan saw this as a huge compliment to their young quarterback, although Purdy was somewhat affected by the news.
Purdy suffered a UCL tear in last season’s NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. While he was in recovery, the 49ers attempted to convince Tom Brady to play one more year with his childhood team.
Shanahan made it clear to Pro Football Talk that the franchise was committed to Purdy in the long term. However, they needed a viable option to start at quarterback if Purdy’s injury didn’t heal in time for the upcoming season.
“I actually thought it was giving Brock the biggest compliment,” Shanahan expressed. “I let him know he’s our guy long-term. No question. And if Tom Brady wanted to come here and start for one year, that’s the only way you’re not starting when you’re healthy this year. That’s pretty cool. I wanted to assure him, ‘Don’t worry. You’re our guy. But how cool would it be if Tom Brady would be the quarterback here for one season? How cool would it be for you to learn from him?’”
Purdy had a mature perspective on the situation but also found motivation in it. “I remember (Shanahan) saying, if we can get Tom Brady, we’re going to try to get him,” Purdy recalled. “And I was like, ‘Yeah, he’s the GOAT. I get it.’ But something deep down inside me was sort of like, ‘Dude, I just showed you that I can play well in this system. And we were one game away from the Super Bowl.’ … More than anything, I was like, ‘OK, now let’s go.'”
This season, Purdy has proven that the 49ers’ belief in him was justified. He has emerged as a top contender for the league MVP award and orchestrated a remarkable comeback in the NFC Championship Game, leading the team to the Super Bowl.
Throughout it all, Purdy has remained grounded, attributing his faith as a significant factor. His confidence, personal beliefs, and impressive results have all contributed to his growth as a player.
While the addition of Brady could have potentially benefited Purdy’s career, Shanahan recognizes the special talent he has in his current quarterback. “This is what I love about Brock. Last pick in the draft. Takes us to the conference championship game twice and this Super Bowl in two years,” Shanahan praised. “Getting talked about for MVP. And the dude, he doesn’t have to work at not listening to it or trying to stay humble or trying to not get caught up in how life is changing. You know why? He doesn’t care. He really has a true foundation and knows who he is and who he wants to be. That is rare for any human. He’s a special player. But this stuff … he’s a special guy.”
