Fast forward a year, and a lot of people know who he is.
Last season, Purdy got his opportunity to show he belonged in the NFL after the Niners lost two quarterbacks. Purdy made the most of the opportunity, helping guide the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game before suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow.
After offseason surgery and months of recovery, Purdy is set to open the 2023 season as the 49ers' starting quarterback. He played in this past Saturday's preseason win over the Denver Broncos and will get some time on the field in Friday's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers.
How is the surgically repaired arm feeling?
"I feel really good. Arm feels good," Purdy said during an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "I feel like I'm in a great spot just for my whole body. And honestly, just excited to be out there, break some huddles, and throw the balls to [Brandon Aiyuk], [George] Kittle, and Deebo [Samuel]. So it's been good."
Purdy has had a lot of time to reflect on his NFL journey, from being "Mr. Irrelevant" to being on the doorstep of a Super Bowl appearance. The modest quarterback is grateful for how things unfolded for him.
"Honestly, just being thankful for the little things," Purdy shared. "Last year, I'm fighting and clawing, trying to make the team, throwing to guys that are also trying to make the team, so some things may not be perfect. But then we fast forward a year, and I'm able to throw balls where they're supposed to be, on time with Aiyuk and Deebo and [Jauan Jennings] and Ray-Ray [McCloud] and Kittle and [Christian] McCaffrey, the list goes on.
"But to be able to be where we are as an offense, and have some games under my belt with those guys, and still build off of that, and still trying to create some really good chemistry, it's a big blessing. And so being able to remember where I was a year ago to now, very thankful and still chipping away at."
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