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Nick Wagoner, ESPN editor
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – As the San Francisco 49ers progressed through their offseason program, it was hard not to see – or hear – quarterback Brock Purdy.
During organized team activities and minicamp practices, Purdy was clearly in charge. In meeting rooms and locker rooms, teammates say Purdy was louder. It was a far cry from the 2023 offseason, when Purdy was recovering from a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and was unable to perform the work he did in the classroom on the field.
This year has been different. Fully healthy, coming off a breakthrough season, and able to go through an entire offseason as an established starter, Purdy was able to focus on elevating his game – both mentally and physically – to another level.
“This time he’s definitely ahead of last year,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “It’s been great for him to guide us through the whole offseason, just drill-wise and everything. It’s been great to have him for a first full offseason.”
For the Niners and Purdy, experiencing a full offseason together comes at a perfect time. San Francisco is coming off a narrow overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, has advanced to at least the NFC Championship Game in four of the last five seasons and is increasingly desperate to get over the hump and win another Lombardi Trophy.
Purdy rose above Mr. Irrelevant status, stayed healthy and built a strong, long enough resume to position himself for a lucrative contract extension next offseason.
As the undisputed QB1, Purdy’s offseason has been about taking the next step as a team leader, either by making his voice louder among his teammates or working in the weight room to become bigger, faster and stronger.
“To me, it felt like it was going to be a different type of offseason,” Purdy said. “It’s nice to not have to go through this program and regimen of rehab, rehab, rehab, being healthy and stressing about whether I’m going to come back for the season or not. We have in kind of just an offseason to breathe and reflect on these last couple of years because it’s been go, go, go for me, it’s been really good, just mentally and kind of that hunger to come back and be ready to. to roll.
The dates and moments are still fresh in Purdy’s mind. The memory of tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow during the 2023 NFC Championship Game in Philadelphia, followed by surgery in March. While he was with the team during the offseason and expected to return to the starting role once healthy, there was at least some uncertainty until he was fully allowed to return.
Purdy spent those OTAs and the offseason program studying cutups with Shanahan and quarterbacks coach Brian Griese. When it came time to translate what he learned from those sessions onto the field, the best Purdy could do was watch from the sidelines and take in the reps mentally. Shanahan said Purdy was frustrated by those circumstances, but quickly noticed an extra bounce in Purdy’s step when he was able to step in on the first day of the first phase of this year’s program.
During his postseason study of his 2023 performance, Purdy discovered many areas he wanted to work on. While he threw for a franchise-record 4,280 yards and became the first Niners quarterback since Jeff Garcia in 2001 to throw for more than 30 touchdowns on the way to his first Pro Bowl nod, Purdy noticed occasional errors in his progression, footwork and game management. He also wanted to continue to grow into the leadership role inherent in the position.
“That’s what we’re talking about,” Griese said. “Situational awareness on top of all the progressions, and then growth as a leader off the field and in the locker room, what that entails and what that looks like. And as you gain experience and team and league status within the organization, what opportunities it gives you to make your voice heard a little higher and set responsibilities and expectations.
Physically, Purdy has received rave reviews from teammates and coaches and received viral reactions on social media following photos of himself after adding some muscle to his 6-foot frame 1 inch and 220 pounds. Purdy wanted to get bigger so he could better cope with the wear and tear of the season and felt a stronger lower half would also help build his arm strength.
Purdy’s workout routine, which he plans to continue in Florida before training camp, also focused on adding flexibility and mobility.
“Next season it’s all about being in the best shape possible for what a marathon is,” Purdy said. “Being able to run, play, throw the ball, stay in shape. I’m preparing for that right now.”
Mentally, Purdy has taken everything that comes with his emergence with ease. His celebrity has grown, recognizing that he is recognized more often when he visits the Bay Area and makes appearances here and there, such as throwing out the first pitch at a San Francisco Giants game.
With many of the Niners’ top stars recovering from injury or not participating in the offseason program, Purdy hasn’t shied away from having a louder voice on the practice field or in meetings. That big 2023 season has helped boost Purdy’s confidence and, with that, his teammates have continued to gravitate towards him, even as they insist he hasn’t given up on his humble approach in the name of ‘vocal leadership.
“I think he’s definitely expressing himself a little bit more in the building,” Nick Bosa said. “I don’t think he’s someone who’s going to change even when he gets paid next year.”
While Purdy’s offseason has plenty to celebrate, including a wedding and honeymoon with his wife, Jenna, next year’s could be even bigger. Purdy is entering the third year of his rookie contract and is expected to make a base salary of just $985,000 with a cap hit just north of $1 million.
This means that Purdy will remain one of the best bargains in the NFL for another year. As Bosa points out, that will almost certainly change next year when Purdy is eligible to negotiate a contract extension for the first time.
When that happens, Purdy’s salary could increase more than 50 times, an almost unthinkable increase for a player who nearly went undrafted in 2022. But before any of that can happen, Purdy knows he has to shoot the lessons of last season and the work accomplished. of his first full offseason and make it another great year on the field.
“I’m trying to win this year and do everything I can for this organization,” Purdy said. “Everything else happens as it happens… Getting too caught up in all that stuff is, to me, nonsense. I’m taking it one day at a time and I’m getting better.”