Brock Purdy details ‘different’ NFL offseason entering Year 3

Apr 23, 2024, 8:30 AM | Updated: 8:56 am

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 29: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass during an NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, January 29, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

(Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

Brock Purdy’s 2024 offseason journey has been a bit different than in recent years, mainly because he’s not rehabbing from a lengthy surgery. Or, he’s not learning the ins and outs of the NFL entirely.

The San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback enters 2024 NFL Draft week in a whole new frame of mind, both professionally and personally. Purdy started his offseason tying the knot with his longtime girlfriend, allowing him to recharge the batteries and reset on what was a whirlwind 2023 season.

The March wedding had more of a sentimental feel for the QB than just nuptials though, almost a year to the day removed from UCL repair surgery. Now 13 months removed, Brock Purdy has taken a step back, attacking his first real offseason in the NFL.

The last couple of Marches have been busy for Brock Purdy. pic.twitter.com/neTOXaXTOw

— Tracy Sandler (@TracyFGSN) April 22, 2024

“I got married really a year since surgery. I got surgery March 10th. I got married March 9th. So for me it was like, this is going to be a different kind of offseason,” Brock Purdy said Monday. “It’s nice that I don’t have to be on this schedule and regime of rehab, rehab, rehab, get healthy and sort of stress about am I going to make it back for the season or not? So it’s been nice to obviously marry Jenna and then we sort of just have an offseason to breathe and reflect on really the last two years because it’s been go, go, go. So for me it’s been really good, just mentally and sort of having that hunger to come back and be ready to roll.”

Of course, it wasn’t that long ago Purdy and the 49ers were rained down by confetti as Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs celebrated another Super Bowl at the 49ers’ expense. Those emotions are still lingering in Purdy’s mind, but they don’t drive him to be better.

The Arizona native has always been real about his play. A tiny error in an otherwise perfect game will be all that encapsulates his postgame presser. He didn’t necessarily have that approach with the Super Bowl tape, seeing mistakes left and right that he could get better at.

The key difference is that he doesn’t let his emotions from the moment dictate how he perceives the mistakes, something that is clearly a mindset of his moving forward.

“When I watch [the tape], I’m real about it,” Purdy shared. “Obviously wish you won the game, won the Super Bowl and won a championship for this organization, but it happens. For me it’s like, ‘alright, I’ve got to learn from it, like truly learn from it.’ Set the emotions and the feelings and stuff aside, remember those, but let’s be real about the film and get better from it. There’s a lot of things that we can learn and grow from.”

Staying in the moment and being honest with yourself have been key football disciplines of his for some time, and remain in lieu of the pay raise ahead.

Brock Purdy, 24, is coming off his first Pro Bowl season in the NFL. The Iowa State alum set a 49ers’ record for passing yards (4,280), leading his team to a Super Bowl berth.

And just like Jimmy Garoppolo in the days before, the 49ers will fork over the money for a quality signal-caller.

Owner Jed York has mentioned such, suggesting a hefty payday could be in Purdy’s future. Talks between the two sides will likely commence after the 2024 season.

But until then, it doesn’t matter to Purdy, who is focused on attacking each day in preparation for another big year in SF.

“I’ve said this time and time again, just in terms of taking it one day at a time. I’m trying to win this year and do everything I can for this organization this year. Everything else happens how it happens,” he stated. “But for me I need to get better from last year on the film and the things that I saw from last year…It’s a business obviously, too. But for me, I love this game. I love just competing with these guys in this organization. I love this organization and I want to continue to represent myself for them and in the right way. So that’s where I’m at with that. Getting too caught up in all that kind of stuff is for me, that’s nonsense.”

The QB can’t do it alone, however. He’ll need the help of an already-loaded roster, including the wide receivers.

Which makes the Brandon Aiyuk saga even more pivotal at this juncture.

Aiyuk is in the midst of a contract dispute with the 49ers, looking to become one of the highest-paid WRs in the NFL.

So far, SF hasn’t given much to indicate a deal is imminent.

General manager John Lynch declined to elaborate much on how contract talks are going during Monday’s pre-draft media availability. The best anecdote he offered is that a trade should not be anticipated for Aiyuk.

As for where Purdy lies on the matter, he’s supportive of whatever happens with both the player and the organization. He wants Aiyuk, his favorite WR, around for the long term.

But he also gets this is business, and getting laid is the name of the game.

“Yeah, I love B.A. and what we’ve done has been pretty cool. I’ve said this before, I’m just thankful that I have and had the opportunity to play with him and throw him the ball and win games with him. It’s been awesome,” Brock Purdy said. “At the end of the day, B.A. has been a brother to me and I want the best for him. But we’re at that time of year where negotiations happen and the business side of things kick in.”

Some clips from the #49ers pre-draft media day, featuring John Lynch, Brock Purdy and Fred Warner.

The overall sentiment for today (Monday): We want Brandon Aiyuk around long-term, but it’s a business; Time to shake off last season and prepare for 2024. pic.twitter.com/AsZ2PGF09n

— Amiliano “Amil” Fragoso (@AmilianoFragoso) April 22, 2024