Mr. Irrelevant
“Mr. Irrelevant” is the moniker given to the last pick in the NFL draft every season. Most recently, Brock Purdy, a quarterback from Iowa State, started his career in San Francisco as a third-string quarterback behind starter Trey Lance and backup Jimmy Garropolo. Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury during Week 2’s win against the Seahawks where Garropolo replaced him. Garrapolo went 7-3 with the team until suffering a season-ending foot injury in the first quarter during Week 13’s win against the 8-3 Miami Dolphins which called for “Mr. Irrelevant” to lead the team to a 33-17 victory.
Purdy started his high school journey at Perry High School. He led his team to a division championship in 2016 and 2017 but lost 68-28 and 48-42 respectively. He was considered a three-star and later signed to Iowa State in 2018 and committed the same year. He entered as a third-string and later was named the starter after injury and inefficient play from the second string. During this run he completed 146 of 220 passes, throwing for 2,250 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also ran for 308 yards and five touchdowns. Purdy returned as the starter in 2019 but was again later benched.
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan had this to say about Purdy after the game.
“Putting a lot of pressure on him in that way and I thought he did a hell of a job doing it," Shanahan said. “[He] protected the ball well and made some big plays too that I thought weren't there always."
Garoppolo is expected to miss the remainder of the season and with the 49ers leading their division, they are front runners for playoff contention. Fans' main concern is if who was originally a third-string quarterback can lead the team to a Super Bowl. Many 49er fans and even former 49er and Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice were pleased with Purdy’s performance during the game, throwing for over 200 yards and two touchdowns.
“You can tell he was in complete control,” Rice said.
With Garropolo likely out for the remainder of the season, will “Mr. Irrelevant” be able to lead this team to a Super Bowl?