Brock Purdy has created a good problem for the San Francisco 49ers. With the rookie third-stringer successfully operating the team’s offense, many are wondering: would Jimmy Garoppolo even be the starting quarterback if he were able to return from injury during the NFL Playoffs?
Who Starts Between Jimmy Garoppolo & Brock Purdy?
Just before the 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks kicked off, Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported that it would be Purdy who would maintain the QB1 role even if Jimmy Garoppolo were to be cleared from injury during the NFL Playoffs.
“Here’s the deal: So Jimmy Garoppolo, really attacking his rehab aggressively and wants to get cleared in time to actually return later on this postseason… However, I want to put 49ers fans at ease right now. If he returns, it is to be a backup—to back up Brock Purdy. Not to be the starter again. This is Brock Purdy’s team moving forward,” Glazer said, per Bleacher Report.
Brock Purdy — the “Mr. Irrelevant” of the 2022 NFL Draft — has proven to be a more than capable option to operate Kyle Shanahan’s offense. After being thrown into the fire mid-season, Purdy has gone 5-0, throwing for 13 touchdowns to go along with just four interceptions.
“Brock takes that into every game, and this game, if you want to sit and think about all of the outside stuff, I’m sure you could psych yourself out,” Shanahan said of Purdy, per NBC Sports.
“Once you get on the field, there is absolutely nothing different. So whether it’s a playoff game, whether it’s a Super Bowl, all you can do is control the athletic sporting event that you’re involved in. Don’t make it more than that.”
We thought Jimmy Garoppolo’s time with the 49ers was done following last year’s playoff exit, but it seems that this time he may actually be wearing another uniform next season. With Brock Purdy playing at a high level, expect the Garoppolo trade rumors to heat up, once again, this offseason.
Brock Purdy will be given a chance to prove he’s capable of being a future option for the 49ers, and it’ll be interesting to see how he handles the opportunity presented to him.
