San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch said Wednesday that quarterback Brock Purdy remains “the leader in the clubhouse,” despite all the buzz around the team’s quarterback competition.
Purdy, who suffered a torn UCL in the NFC Championship game, began throwing again this week. He could be ready by the start of the regular season. Yet will he return as the starter? Or will he back up Trey Lance, or even recently acquired Sam Darnold?
The 49ers’ quarterback competition is one of the biggest storylines heading into the 2023 NFL season. Lynch praised Purdy in an appearance Wednesday on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“Brock is the leader in the clubhouse, as we said, but it’s open for competition,” Lynch said.
Purdy, who won the infamous title as “Mr. Irrelevant” as the last player chosen in the 2022 NFL Draft, outperformed everyone’s expectations when he stepped in as the 49ers quarterback and led the team within one game of the Super Bowl.
Can Purdy recapture that magic after UCL surgery? Lynch said Purdy’s performance last year is even more impressive in hindsight.
“Is it a flash in the pan or is it the real deal?” Lynch told SiriusXM NFL Radio. “As we’ve gone back and studied it, he played at a high, high level. Not only played within the system, he made a lot of plays outside the system by extending plays.
“He showed tremendous playmaking ability. He showed tremendous ability to run the system efficiently, effectively, push the ball downfield. He just had an incredible first year.”
Purdy faces questions as he rehabs and makes his comeback, but he seems to have the 49ers GM in his corner.
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.