Brock Purdy: ‘I Love the Game of Football’ | Press Pass

Published Dec 19, 2024, 10:30 PM
San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy shared the team’s mindset for the remainder of the 2024 season and looked ahead to the matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

Right.

Most of were saying he hadn't played in a meaningless games. They're not high stakes here like ever, and it's like, I was just wondering, when's the last time you at the team network was kind of out of the contention.

Maybe maybe college like towards the end when like out of Big twelve contention. But outside of that, I've never played in a game where I've never tried or like for myself, man, I love the game of football and then to go out and compete at any chance I can get, Like since I was a kid, it's always been the the mindset in the case. So I don't know if I've ever played in a game that's ever been meaningless to me. So yeah, no, yeah, I understand, I know, yeah, yeah, but obviously my first two years, I mean we haven't uh, we've always been in contention and stuff.

So yeah, there with these last three games, is there anything in particular that you really kind of focused in on in an area where you think that there's just so much room to prove and you guys need to build some momentum heading into the next season.

I think just offensively, man, just you know, trying to play a complete game, for each other. You know, obviously, get the run game going, past game everything, just get a clicking on all four cylinders, and I think just be able to play for four quarters like a good legit complete game. Defense is playing great right now, Special teams is playing their best ball. So for us, it's like offense, let's get this thing going and and look like the Niners that we all know.

Talk about the complete game that you want. Why has the fourth quarter been so much different this year than last year? I mean, obviously you have last year you played with the bigger league usually, but is there a bigger pressure or defense is playing you guys differently? What's the difference this year with the fourth quarter?

I mean, I just think it comes down to, you know, every drive matters. We get into it and it's like, you know, you start thinking about what we could have done in the game, and we're in this situation and we shouldn't be in this situation, and and for all of us it's like, no, man, like, that's that's the game of football. And so I think for all of us we got to learn from that and be like, even if we are in this situation, like, we got to find a way to finish and complete a game, even if we do have some mishaps and stuff that happened early on. So I think it's really just a mindset thing more than any I'm sure you have more.

Time to dig into it when the season's over, But how would you assess just how you've played this year and what kind of growth or maybe step back or just kind of the way you feel like you've progressed the season.

Yeah, I think, you know, there's some plays out there that I'd love to have back, and and I wish, you know, I could have been better for my team and for myself, and but at the same time, I feel like there's there's been some growth in my game that has happened, and really just I think like leadership wise with this team and sort of stepping up and when the team needs it, sort of just being a guy that they can hear from. And you know, in the past it's and I've been sort of particular about when I speak and waiting for the right moment, But this year it's been more than than it has And so I don't know, I feel more comfortable on who I am, but also, like you know, I think I need to get better and get back to, you know, playing at the chip on my shoulder and uh, like it was my first two years of every game, every down, trying to prove to myself that you know, I'm I'm the guy for this team and I'm capable of doing it. And so you know, that's sort of just been the case this year with some some moments, and I got to learn from that playing with.

The chip on your shoulder. Do you feel like it hasn't been there and it's a lie?

No, I mean I think it has, But there's been moments where I feel like I was a little bit more concerned and consumed with trying to be perfect rather than hey man, let's go out and compete and and you know, show my guys, my teammates that you know, I love this game and that I'm passionate about it and I can lead them in any situation. So, you know, sort of just handling that mentally and getting back to that. There's been some speculation where you've been at one hundred percent since coming back from the shoulder injury because it felt tight.

I mean, how have you felt since its coming back?

Since I've been back playing, it feels good and there's no doubt in my mind that there was still some injury with it or anything like that. When I got back on the field, man, I was good to go to play.

So the NFL doesn't give you a lot of time for reflection, but this is where it started for you professionally. When you think back to that Miami game, the first game that you played in the pros, what stands out? What are your recollections from that day.

Yeah, I mean, honestly, it was just like any other game my rookie year in terms of, you know, backing up Jimmy and getting ready for it and being ready if my name was to get called, and when I go in, just know my answers within every play and keep the offense on the field. And I just kept it simple and I competed my butt off. It was. It was really that simple. And so here we are two years later. It's gonna be cool to go down and play them again and down to Miami. Grew up a Dolphin fan and everything, so I think it's pretty cool just going into Miami and playing in that stadium. So you know, for me, man, there's a lot for me to go into this game and compete and show my guys. You know that a competitor and I want this morning anything. So in a game two years.

Ago, they said they kind of ripped up their defensive game plan when you went in and they started blitzing you like crazy in a way, did that kind of help you with the you know, just getting the ball out quickly and kind of the predetermined you know, you knew where you're going to make it more easy on you because they're blitzing so much.

I mean yes, and though I mean physically, like when they're you know, bringing the house and they're bringing more than we could block for you know, as a rookie, can you know, sort of be tough to you know, set my feet, throw accurately, get the ball off, throw on time. All those things are a little tough. But at the same time, if you complete it, it could be you know, big gash plays and stuff, so hit or miss with that. But you know, looking back on it, I understand why they did what they did. You know, ricky quarterback getting thrown in not knowing that he's gonna play in that game and and try to you know, heat him up. So I get it. But you know, here we are two years later and I'm interested to see what they're gonna do for this one.

You see, Uh, you gotta see Marino in the FaceTime. I think last season, right, have you met him in person?

Since then?

I haven't met him in person.

He's supposed to be there. Is that something?

Yeah, maybe if that, If that happens, I'll be sweet.

You ask a stupid question. He was funny. I'm not sure any quarterback loves the rain. In fact, there's the legendary quarterbacks that have said, yeah, it was a nightmare. But you know it's been brought up like no brock Brock in the rain, you know, rock and bad weather. You know he's going to struggle. Do you feel like there are like any serious issues with precipitation or anything and you're just having a handle on the ball.

Uh No, I mean I think any any person that's throwing an object in you know, the rain, it makes it wet, the grip isn't as good. I think for me, it's a it's been more about learning, you know, how to change the motion a little bit and and throw differently in the rain. You can't just get back there and be as violent as you normally are and ball can come out and all that kind of stuff. So it's like it comes down to, you know, sort of learning how to handle those kind of environments and finding a way to complete the ball, move the chain, stay on the field, put up points. Those are all things man that you sort of just got to learn as you go. And so, you know, for me, and if I see bad weather for a possibility in a game, I don't freak out or anything. It's just like, all right, how can I you know, be better and learn from you know, games that I've played in in this in those kind of you know, situations or environments. So that's how I look at it, and for me, I can play in it. So thanks guys,