Sunday’s Philadelphia Eagles versus San Francisco 49ers NFC Championship Game has a lot of storylines, but none bigger than the ascension of Niners rookie QB Brock Purdy. The final pick in the 2022 NFL draft, aka Mr. Irrelevant, has been a pleasant surprise for a Niners squad that lost both starter Trey Lance and backup Jimmy Garoppolo during the season.
Since stepping in to the starter role, Purdy has been excellent leading the Niners to the brink of their second Super Bowl appearance in four years. He’s displayed a cool, calm demeanor that has been just what head coach Kyle Shanahan needed to direct his multifaceted and diverse offense. That type of play has caught the attention of Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, who was complimentary of Purdy in his weekly presser.
“Every game that Brock Purdy plays well in, I think that’s good for recruiting for Iowa State,” Sirianni said, per NBC Sports’ Reuben Frank.
“If the Eagles play well, how does that help Iowa State? It doesn’t. But if Purdy plays well, it’s going to help Campbell.”
This is the 1st time Eagles will face Brock Purdy, but he's not a stranger to an Eagles coaching staff with ties to Iowa St.
Nick Sirianni was college roommates with Iowa St. coach Matt Campbell. Two Eagles assts. came from the Iowa St. staff. Eagles have some insight on Purdy.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) January 23, 2023
Sirianni is excited to face his college roommate Matt Campbell’s protégé, but he also knows it won’t be easy.
Sirianni Calls Purdy A Winner
Purdy a former three-star recruit, went 30-17 during his playing days in Ames, Iowa. There he passed for over 12,000 yards, 81 touchdowns and just 33 interceptions. He was also named a two-time All-Big 12 first-team selection and broke 32 school records. That winning has shifted to the NFL where he’s 7-0 and on the brink of leading the Niners to the Super Bowl.
Those winning ways have the full attention of Sirianni, who spoke about it in his presser.
“He’s a winner,” Sirianni said of Purdy. “But you saw what he did for that program. Matt is obviously a great head coach, but he got a great quarterback in Brock Purdy, and you saw what he did for that program. And all the things he did for them. I would check the score, Purdy had an awesome game, and they won again. That’s what I notice with him, that he’s a winner.”
Brock Purdy is something special. #FTTB
(Via @NFL, @NBCS49ers) pic.twitter.com/IdRkWWsAm0
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 28, 2023
Purdy Will Enter The Most Hostile Environment He’s Seen Since College
In Purdy’s seven wins he’s only been away from Levi’s Stadium twice, wins at Las Vegas and Seattle where he was good, but also showed some real moxie when things got tight. Now he’ll travel across country to Lincoln Financial Field, where the vitriol and disdain for the opponent is always at an elevated level. How Campbell calls this game will go a long way in determining how his young QB plays. Facing an Eagles defense that led the league with 70 sacks and had another seven in last week’s 38-7 divisional round win over the division rival New York Giants, expect a heavy dose of Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell in the run game, with play-action passes mixed in.
"He's only won I think like 7 in a row now. Good job, Brock!" @ErinAndrews spoke with @brockpurdy13 and @gkittle46 after advancing to the NFC Championship game! pic.twitter.com/I5CghtgFCj
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 23, 2023
Should be fun in Philly on Sunday afternoon.
