49ers fans know this Seahawks OL competition will end terribly no matter what

Back in the late summer of 2022, then-rookie quarterback Brock Purdy did enough in the San Francisco 49ers' three preseason games to raise eyebrows, which ultimately resulted in him squeaking out a spot on the regular-season 53-man roster.

By year's end, he was the bona fide franchise starter.

Now, in the wake of securing a five-year, $265 million extension that makes him the highest-paid player in Niners history, Purdy doesn't quite have to look at exhibition games in a "do or die" context. A poor performance in an otherwise meaningless game won't mean subsequently getting cut from the roster.

If anything, he now has the luxury of not needing to play in any of San Francisco's three preseason games ahead of Week 1's road matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 7.

He wants to, however. At least a little bit.

Brock Purdy wants to play this preseason, if 49ers allow it

Speaking to reporters following the 49ers' joint practices with the Denver Broncos ahead of both teams' exhibition opener this Saturday, Purdy revealed he would like to participate in preseason games to some degree.

"I haven't talked to Kyle [Shanahan] or anybody about that yet, with regard to the first game," Purdy said, via 95.7 The Game. "But I always love to get a couple series in within the three preseason games. ... Not sure what that looks like, but I would love getting in just to get the feel for warming up for a game, how it feels, drop back, 11 on 11 in a stadium, the shot clock. Just working the whole thing to get ready for game one."

Now, the question is whether or not Shanahan and the Niners front office want to permit the quarterback to take the field, exposing himself to a greater injury risk. It'd be one thing if Purdy was just competing for a backup spot. But, after emerging as San Francisco's biggest cornerstone entering 2025, that added risk might be too much for Shanahan and Co. to allow.

What likely happens is Purdy gets a handful of drives over the three-game exhibition period, perhaps one to open up Saturday's bout against Denver and then possibly a few more over the 49ers' remaining two preseason games.

Nothing more than that, though.