QB Brock Purdy Press Conference

QB Brock Purdy

Press Conference – December 19, 2024

San Francisco 49ers

DL Nick Bosa was saying he hadn’t played in a quote unquote, like meaningless game, they’re not high stakes here like ever in his life. I was just wondering when’s the last time you were on the team that was this kind of out the contention?

“Maybe college, like towards the end when, like out of Big 12 contention. But outside of that, I’ve never played in a game where I’ve never tried, or like for myself, man, I love the game of football and then to go out and compete at any chance I can get since I was a kid. It’s always been the mindset in the case. So, I don’t know if I’ve ever played in a game that’s ever been meaningless to me.”

I didn’t mean to imply.

“No, yeah, I understand. I know. Yeah. Yeah. But obviously my first two years, I mean, we haven’t, we’ve always been in contention and stuff, so yeah.”

Is there, I mean, with these last three games, is there anything in particular that you’re really kind of focused in on that an area where you think that there’s just so much room to improve and you guys need to build some momentum heading into next season?

“I think just offensively, just trying to play a complete game for each other. Obviously get the run game going, pass game, everything, just get it clicking on all four cylinders and I think just be able to play for four quarters. Like a good, legit, complete game. Defense is playing great right now. Special teams is playing their best ball. So for us it’s like, all right, offense, let’s get this thing going and look like the Niners that we all know.”

You talk about the complete game that you want. Why has the fourth quarter been so much different this year than last year? I mean, obviously you have, last year you played with the bigger lead usually, but is there bigger pressure, are defenses playing you guys differently? What’s the difference this year with the fourth quarter?

“I mean, I just think it comes down to every drive matters. We get into it and it’s like you start thinking about what we could have done in the game and we’re in this situation and we shouldn’t be in this situation. And for all of us it’s like, no man, like that’s the game of football. And so, I think for all of us, we’ve got to learn from that and be like, even if we are in this situation we’ve got to find a way to finish and complete a game even if we do have some mishaps and stuff that happened earlier on. I think it’s really just a mindset thing more than anything.”

I’m sure you’ll have more time to dig into it when the season’s over, but how would you assess just how you’ve played this year and what kind of growth or maybe step back or just kind of the way you feel like you’ve progressed this season?

“Yeah I think, there’s some plays out there that I’d love to have back and I wish I could’ve been better for my team and for myself. But at the same time, I feel like there’s been some growth in my game that has happened and really just I think like leadership-wise with this team and sort of stepping up when the team needs it, sort of just being a guy that they can hear from. In the past, I’ve been sort of particular about when I speak and waiting for the right moment, but this year it’s been more than it has. And so, I don’t know, I feel more comfortable in who I am, but also like I think I need to get better and get back to playing at the chip on my shoulder like it was my first two years of every game, every down trying to prove to myself that I’m the guy for this team and I’m capable of doing it. And so, that’s sort of just been the case this year with some moments and I’ve got to learn from that.”

Back to playing with the chip on your shoulder. Do you feel like it hasn’t been there? And if so, why?

“No, I mean, I think it has, but there’s been moments where I feel like I was a little bit more concerned and consumed with trying to be perfect rather than, ‘hey man, let’s go out and compete and show my guys my teammates that I love this game and that I’m passionate about it and I can lead them in any situation.’ So, sort of just handling that mentally and getting back to that.”

There’s been some speculation whether you’ve been 100-percent since coming back from the shoulder injury. Has it felt tight? I mean, how have you felt since coming back?

“No, since I’ve been back playing it feels good and there’s no doubt in my mind that there was still some injury with it or anything like that. When I got back on the field I was good to go to play.”

The NFL doesn’t give you a lot of time for reflection, but this is where it started for you professionally. When you think back to that Miami game, the first game that you played in the pros, what stands out? What are your recollections from that day?

“Honestly it was just like any other game my rookie year in terms of backing up [Los Angeles Rams quarterback] Jimmy [Garoppolo] and getting ready for it and being ready if my name was to get called. And when I go in just know my answers within every play and keep the offense on the field. And I just kept it simple and I competed my butt off. It was really that simple. And so, here we are two years later, it’s going to be cool to go down and play them again, down to Miami. I grew up a Dolphins fan and everything, so I think it’s pretty cool just going into Miami and playing in that stadium. So, for me it was a lot for me to go into this game and compete and show my guys that I’m a competitor and I want this more than anything.”

In that game two years ago, they said they kind of ripped up their defensive game plan when you went in and they started blitzing you like crazy. In a way, did that kind of help you with the, you know, just getting the ball out quickly and kind of the predetermined, you knew where you were going? Did it make it more easy on you because they were blitzing so much?

“I mean, yes and no. I mean, physically, when they’re bringing the house and they’re bringing more than we could block for, as a rookie it can sort of be tough to set my feet, throw accurately, get the ball off, throw on time. All those things are a little tough, but at the same time, if you complete it, it could be big gash plays and stuff. So it’s hit or miss with that. But, looking back on it, I understand why they did what they did, a rookie quarterback getting thrown in, not knowing that he was going to play in that game and try to heat him up. So I get it. But, here we are two years later and I’m interested to see what they’re going to do for this one.”

You got to see former Miami Dolphins QB Dan Marino on FaceTime, I think last season, right? Have you met him in person since then?

“No, I haven’t met him in person.”

This Sunday he’s supposed to be there. Is that something?

“Yeah, maybe if that, yeah if that happens that’d be sweet.”

I’m not sure any quarterback loves the rain. In fact, there’s legendary quarterbacks that have said, ‘yeah, it was a nightmare,’ but it’s been brought up like, Brock in the rain, Brock in bad weather, he’s going to struggle. Do you feel like there are any serious issues with precipitation or anything and you just having a hand on the ball?

“No. I mean, I think any person that’s throwing an object in the rain, it makes it wet, the grip isn’t as good. I think for me it’s been more about learning how to change the motion a little bit and throw differently in the rain. You can’t just get back there and be as violent as you normally are and the ball can come out and all that kind of stuff. So, it’s like, it comes down to sort of learning how to handle those kinds of environments and finding a way to complete the ball, move the chains, stay on the field, put up points, those are all things that you’ve sort of just got to learn as you go. And so, for me and if I see bad weather for a possibility in a game, I don’t freak out or anything. It’s just like, all right, how can I be better and learn from games that I’ve played in those kind of situations or environments. So that’s how I look at it and for me I can play in it.”