Purdy has enjoyed significant success early in his career. Entering the starting lineup as a rookie toward the end of the 2022 season, he led the team to the NFC Championship Game without losing a game. The 49ers might have reached the Super Bowl had Purdy not suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow early in that contest.
Despite coming off surgery last season, Purdy threw for a single-season franchise record of 4,280 passing yards while guiding the 49ers to the Super Bowl, where they lost in overtime. While the quarterback has done everything asked of him, playing at a high level in the process, naysayers remain.
However, seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker and five-time first-team All-Pro Luke Kuechly isn't among them. Kuechly believes Purdy, paired with head coach and play-caller Kyle Shanahan, can "absolutely" lead the 49ers to the organization's sixth championship.
"I had an opportunity to play against Kyle Shanahan pretty much every year I was in the NFL, sometimes multiple times when he was with the Falcons," Kuechly said on the "Up and Adams" show. "I love what they do on offense. I think it's difficult. The shifts, the motions, the wide zone, the play action off of that is just so challenging.
"And then you look at what they have on the offensive side of the ball, skill-wise. Purdy's going into year three. He's established himself as a really high-end quarterback. [RB] Christian [McCaffrey], obviously speaks for himself. [TE George] Kittle, [FB Kyle] Juszczyk, [WR] Deebo [Samuel], and then [WR Brandon] Aiyuk—they just have so many options to get the ball to in different areas on the field that it's so challenging."
Kuechly, a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, calling Purdy "a really high-end quarterback" is high praise. Next year, Purdy is set to become one of the NFL's highest-paid players—possibly the highest-ever paid. The upcoming season will be an opportunity for the young quarterback to prove he deserves that.
"And then that defense is really good as well," Kuechly continued. "So, that's my team. Obviously, Christian is one of my best buds. He had a phenomenal season last year. Obviously, looking forward to another one from him this year as well."
San Francisco has the best betting odds to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, with only the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs having better odds to win it all in New Orleans. Given how close the 49ers came last season and their talent-stacked roster, it is difficult to dismiss their chances of finally achieving Super Bowl glory.