Brock Purdy honored to make first Pro Bowl of NFL career

Jan 5, 2024, 1:00 PM | Updated: 1:40 pm

Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers leaves the field after a game against the Washington Com...

(Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The San Francisco 49ers are rolling heading into the final week of the regular season, especially Brock Purdy.

The second-year quarterback was named to his first Pro Bowl this week, a mark of his success under center for the Red & Gold. Since taking over for Jimmy Garoppolo last season, Purdy is 19-5 as a starter, most recently breaking the franchise record for single-season passing yards.

To his credit, Purdy remained humble when asked about the honor Thursday, appreciative and thankful for the system around him in Santa Clara.

“Yeah, what an honor. I’m very thankful, obviously to everyone who voted and all the support across the country. It’s so cool actually,” Brock Purdy said. “For all my teammates too, for them to be recognized, it’s sweet. We’ve got a special team, special unit of guys and to be listed up there with them, what an honor. So yeah, very thankful for it.”

Brock Purdy on receiving the most Pro Bowl votes in the NFL:

“It’s crazy… The support from everybody watching… this whole last year, it’s been a blessing,” pic.twitter.com/KF1YfFr9Pw

— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) January 4, 2024

The 49ers as a group cleaned up this season, with an NFL-leading nine players named to the games. Purdy’s nomination was the most special however, also finished first in fan voting for the season. And while the gunslinger is more focused on team success, he couldn’t help but reflect about the last 12 months in the NFL.

“Sort of just this last year, how crazy it’s been and then just sort of see that and the support from everybody watching. Just all of it. The whole story. In the last year it’s been a blessing,” he stated.

And thanks in part to his play Week 17, the 49ers were able to clinch the NFC before the final week of the regular season.

With the conference locked up, the 49ers have chosen to rest Purdy for the regular-season finale, not wanting to take any risks in a meaningless game. The QB understands the position of his coaches, also admitting that it’s a bit weird to not be playing in the contest on Sunday.

“Yeah, a little bit. Just the initial conversation that we had, for me I was like this is all I know is to prepare for the next game and get ready. Especially when we went out to practice and I saw my teammates doing that, and everyone dressed up, ready to go and preparing for the Rams. I’m practicing, but obviously not getting the go for the game,” Purdy explained. “So a little weird in that sense, but it’s part of it. Obviously we’re doing what’s best for the team and the organization so always got to remember that and have that in mind.”

Brock Purdy had a conversation with 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan earlier in the week, with the latter informing him of the team’s decision.

Initially, the QB was hesitant of the idea, especially with a near three-week gap between contests. But after deliberating with Shanahan, Purdy understood that he could use the time off to come back stronger in the postseason.

“That’s something that I brought up to Kyle and then he brought up some really good points just in terms of like the preseason not getting a whole lot of reps and snaps and then going into Pittsburgh and playing well enough to win. Same with the Bye Week, coming back and having a good performance against Jacksonville. I think I’ve done it this year, in terms of having some rest and then coming in and playing. And so, that’s something that feels good to go back and remind myself about,” Purdy said.

#49ers Brock Purdy on the possibility of being rusty heading into the playoffs with the extended rest:

“It’s not like I’ll be sitting on the couch for the next couple of weeks doing absolutely nothing….” pic.twitter.com/x8nxgdmW3a

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) January 4, 2024

For Week 18, Sam Darnold will have the keys to the kingdom. Purdy will help out where he can, looking forward to being in Darnold’s ear for the week.

Besides that, the QB is preparing like any other week, using his limited reps against the 49ers’ stout defense to improve for the playoffs.

“I’m going to be practicing against really good defense, obviously our guys, for the next couple weeks too,” he explained. “It’s not like I’m going to be sitting on the couch for the next couple weeks doing absolutely nothing. We’re going to be out here still getting good reps against our defense, working on the little things I need to work with my footwork and my reads at practice. Whoever we end up playing in our first round, we’ll be ready for it.”

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